NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 10, 2013) ― Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has hired Gordon Knapp, most recently a president in Kimberly Clark Corp.'s Consumer Tissue Division, to succeed Larry Magee as president, consumer U.S. and Canada, who will retire July 31 after a 38-year career with the tire maker.
Mr. Knapp joins Bridgestone June 17, thereby able to participate in an "orderly transition and knowledge transfer," Bridgestone said.
Larry Magee, retiring president, consumer, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations
Mr. Magee was named to his current position in January 2011, moving into a new position that consolidated the reporting responsibilities for the original equipment (OE), replacement/wholesale and retail tire businesses in the U.S. and Canada as well as Credit First N.A., the firm's private label credit card business,
Mr. Knapp has spent his 25-plus-year executive career — both in the U.S. and internationally — in the consumer products area of a trio of the world's foremost brands, Kimberly Clark, Pfizer Inc. and Warner-Lambert Inc., Bridgestone said.
"Throughout his career, (Mr. Knapp) has shown commitment to delivering value to consumers through innovation, a focus on results and a passion for operational excellence," according to Eduardo Minardi, chairman, CEO and president, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.
"We look forward to Gordon's contributions as we take Consumer Tire to the next level."
Mr. Knapp earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario in 1983 and an MBA from University of Western Ontario. He will relocate to Nashville from Wisconsin.
Mr. Magee began his career as a Firestone store associate in 1975 and advanced throught the Firestone store hierarchy as a store supervisor, general manager and zone director before being named president of the retail business in 1998.
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