CYPRESS, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2005) – Earl Knoper, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Toyo Tire U.S.A. Inc., has retired but is continuing to serve the subsidiary of Japan's Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. as a consultant.
Mr. Knoper, 63, has been with Toyo for the past 20 years. His marketing duties are being taken up by Travis Roffler, who recently was named senior director of marketing.
In his consulting role, Mr. Knoper will continue to service Toyo's account with Les Schwab Tire and will be Toyo's motorsports representative, primarily with the Sports Car Club of America's Speed World Challenge series.
Prior to joining Toyo in 1984, Mr. Knoper worked 14 years with the Dayton Tire division of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. and also worked for Montgomery Ward & Co.'s tire department and the retail business of Goodyear. He will stay in Southern California.
Mr. Roffler most recently was director of marketing and national director of sales for Toyo.