RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2014) — Falken Tire Corp. has promoted Ken Masaoka to vice president, corporate planning.
Mr. Masaoka joined Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (SRI), Falken's parent company, in 1993 after graduating from Kobe City University of Foreign Studies with a degree in Foreign Study with an emphasis on China, Falken said. He began his career in the Hybrid Rubber Products division, working at the firm's headquarters in Kobe, Japan.
He was transferred to SRI Tire Trading Ltd. in Tokyo in 2006 where, according to Falken, he was responsible for overseeing sales for the East Asia Region. After one year, Mr. Masaoka was promoted to manager of the company's North America Region.
Mr. Masaoka joined Rancho Cucamonga-based Falken full time in the U.S. in January 2012 as director, corporate planning before his recent promotion.