Gingo, 62, is actually taking retirement from Goodyear after a 41-year career there, most recently as executive vice president of quality systems and chief technical officer, to assume the post with Schulman, the company Gingo’s father once worked for. He has been a member of Schulman’s board since 2000.

He will succeed A. Schulman’s long-serving chairman, president and CEO Terry Haines, who is retiring, as previously announced.

Replacing Gingo at Goodyear will be Jean-Claude Kihn, who will take over as senior vice president and chief technical officer, effective Jan. 1, 2008. Kihn, 48, is currently general director of Goodyear’s Technical Center in Akron.

In addition to the appointment of Kihn, Goodyear made other changes in its technical group:

• William Hopkins, currently the vice president of technology and strategic initiatives, was named vice president of advanced concepts.  

• Joseph Zekoski, currently the general director of the Goodyear Technical Center in Luxembourg, was named to the newly created position of vice president of global product development and technical center operations.  

• Surendra Chawla, currently the director of corporate tire research, was named to the position of senior director of external science and technology programs.

• Marc Junio, currently director of technology for consumer tires in Goodyear’s European Union and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa tire business segments, was named general director of Goodyear’s Technical Center in Akron.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to work with A. Schulman in this new capacity, as we build on the initiatives that are under way," said Gingo. "The company is poised for growth, with the restructuring of our North American operations. I look forward to working with the executive team and all of A. Schulman’s employees to continue to deliver high-quality products to our customers and build value for our stockholders." (Tire Review/Akron)