NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 29, 2005) — Hiro Yoshimori, vice president, North American consumer tire marketing for Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, L.L.C. (BFNT), has been promoted to a new assignment in Japan and will be leaving BFNT at year-end.
Mr. Yoshimori's new position is president of Bridgestone Tire Hokuriku Sales Corp., a subsidiary of Japan's Bridgestone Corp. The promotion will be effective Jan. 1. His successor has not yet been announced.
A 24-year veteran of Bridgestone Corp. and its U.S.-based subsidiaries, Mr. Yoshimori has held positions of increasing responsibility during his 10 years in the U.S., including assignments with BFNT's sister company, BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, L.L.C. (BFRC), parent company of Firestone Complete Auto Care.
“Hiro has made great contributions to our company,” said John Gamauf, president of consumer replacement tires. “Personally, I will miss his support, vision and friendship. His focus has always been on constantly improving our company.”
Mark A. Emkes, CEO and chairman of Nashville-based Bridgestone Americas Holding Inc. and BFNT, congratulated Mr. Yoshimori on his promotion saying, “I have every confidence that Hiro will continue to make great contributions in Japan, just as he has here at BFNT and BFRC. On behalf of all of our Bridgestone Americas teammates, we congratulate him on his promotion and wish him the very best in his new assignment.”