Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA) has announced that John DeSalle, president of Hoosier Racing Tire Corporation (Hoosier), has decided to retire from the business after nearly 31 years with the company and transition into a new role.
DeSalle began his career with Hoosier in 1988, developing radial race tire technology. Over the years, he took on more responsibilities, including managing all of Hoosier’s tire engineering, environmental safety and health activities, plant engineering, employee training, test labs and plant scheduling. In 2010, DeSalle was promoted to vice president of engineering and manufacturing, and in 2016 took on the responsibility of president of Hoosier when the company was acquired by Continental Tire the Americas, LLC.
While DeSalle has spent the majority of his career in the tire business, he will soon be shifting gears as he joins the University of Notre Dame’s iNDustry Labs as an executive engineer in residence this November. As an executive engineer in residence (ENIR), DeSalle will serve as a translator and bridge-builder who will regularly visit companies, articulate industry challenges and identify available resources through the Labs for Industry Futures and Transformation (LIFT) Network to help drive regional industry advancement.
A successor for DeSalle’s position will be named in the near future. DeSalle will continue in his role with Hoosier on a part-time basis until his successor is placed in the position.
Based in Lakeville, Indiana, Hoosier supplies tires for most racing applications. The company was acquired by the international technology company Continental in October 2016.
