NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) has hired Gordon Knapp, most recently 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 joined Bridgestone June 17 to participate in an "orderly transition and knowledge transfer," Bridgestone said. Mr. Magee was named to his current position in January 2011, moving into a new position that consolidated the reporting responsibilities for the 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 widely recognized 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," said Eduardo Minardi, BATO chairman, CEO and president.
Mr. Knapp earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, and an MBA from University of Western Ontario. Mr. Magee began his career as a Firestone store associate in 1975 and advanced through the company before becoming president of the retail business in 1998.