Former Nexen Tire Corp. sales executive John Aben has joined Giti Tire (USA) Ltd. as its new senior vice president.

The tire industry veteran will “work with the Giti executive team to strengthen the position of the Giti family of brands with distributors, dealers and retailers in the North American replacement tire market, as well as with original equipment manufacturers that serve North America,” the tiremaker said.

“We’re thrilled that a well-respected tire industry veteran of John’s caliber is joining the Giti team,” said Julianto Djajadi, executive vice president of business operations. “John will play a key role in helping us continue growing market share in North America and ensuring that our planned passenger and light truck tire manufacturing plant in South Carolina becomes a tremendous asset to our North American customers.”

This past April, Aben ended a 10-year association with Nexen, where he was senior vice president of sales. Over the years, Aben has also help posts with National Tire Warehouse, Sears Tire Group, Winston Tire Co., and Tire Centers Inc..