Goodyear Announces Three Highway Hero Finalists

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has narrowed its pool of Highway Hero entries to three finalist. The winner of the 34th Goodyear Highway Hero Award on Thursday, March 23, during the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Ky.

Established in 1983, the Goodyear Highway Hero Award honors professional truck drivers who put themselves in harm’s way to help others.

“The Goodyear Highway Hero Award is the oldest and most prestigious honor of its kind,” said Gary Medalis, marketing director at Goodyear. “Goodyear is proud to recognize truck drivers who risk their own lives to save others.”

This year’s Highway Hero finalist are Chris Baker, from Chicopee, Mass., who rescued unconscious motorist from a flipped minivan; Tim Friburger, from Huntington, Ind., who pulled a mother and her three children from a vehicle that was upside-down in a creek bed; and David Webb, from Billings, Mont., who stopped an out-of-control dump truck and administered first aid to its driver.

The winner of the Goodyear Highway Hero Award will receive a special ring, a cash award and a congratulatory trophy. Each of the other finalists will receive a cash prize and other items.

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has named Ryan Waldron as president of the company's Americas business unit, reporting to Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Stewart. He succeeds Steven R. McClellan, who retired on April 1.

"At Goodyear, our customers are at the center of everything we do, and in Ryan Waldron, we have a customer-centric, execution-focused business leader with a deep understanding of both the marketplace and all aspects of our business, as well as a proven track record of delivering results," Stewart said. "I am thrilled to announce him as president of Goodyear's Americas business and have enormous confidence that under his leadership, both the company and our customers will reach even greater levels of success."