Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has reshuffled its global leadership, resulting in a new head of the company’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) business unit and a new CFO.
Darren Wells, 47, the company’s global CFO, was named president of Goodyear EMEA. Arthur de Bok, currently president of this business, will move into the new role of senior vice president responsible for driving standardized and integrated sales and marketing processes across Goodyear.
Laura Thompson, 49, vice president of finance for North America and the point person in the development of the company’s new global headquarters in Akron, will succeed Wells as executive vice president and CFO.
Damon Audia, 42, senior vice president of business development, will succeed Thompson as senior vice president of finance in Goodyear’s North America business.
The company described the move in terms of “succession,” indicating that Wells’ appointment to management of a tire unit would place him in line to follow chairman and CEO Rich Kramer.
“The succession moves we are announcing today place proven Goodyear leaders in key roles that will enable us to stay on our strategy roadmap and maintain our positive momentum,” said Kramer. “We are confident that these leaders will continue to deliver on our business objectives and create sustainable value for our shareholders.”
Commenting further, Kramer said: “I am pleased to have Darren taking over leadership of the EMEA business. He has been a key leader in the company’s strategic journey over the past 11 years and has worked as a valued business partner with me and the rest of Goodyear’s leadership team. He is well-versed in our strategy roadmap and his in-depth knowledge of our global business will help him leverage the company’s global capabilities in driving improved results in the EMEA business. I have full confidence in Darren continuing to drive results in his new role.”
Wells has been Goodyear’s executive vice president and CFO since October 2008. Previously, he served as senior vice president of finance and strategy and, prior to that, senior vice president, business development and treasurer. Wells joined Goodyear as vice president and treasurer in August 2002.
Kramer thanked de Bok, 51, for his leadership. “As Arthur transitions to his new role, I would like to thank him for his leadership in Europe, Middle East and Africa over the past 12 years. During his tenure, he has led our EMEA business to several years of record earnings while driving the integration of business processes across Goodyear’s most geographically diverse region. Under Arthur’s guidance, we launched a long list of award-winning products developed from the market back and enhanced our product portfolio with a more profitable mix of premium tires.”
