AKRON (March 5, 2014) — Arthur de Bok, a Goodyear senior vice president and former president of the tire maker's Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) business unit, is leaving Goodyear, effective March 15, to pursue a new opportunity.
Mr. De Bok joined Goodyear in 2002 as vice president, sales and marketing, for consumer tires in Europe, and was promoted to head of the EMEA business unit in 2008. He was replaced last December by Darren Wells, executive vice president and chief financial officer.
At that time, Mr. de Bok was reassigned as senior vice president, sales and marketing excellence, responsible for driving standardized and integrated sales and marketing processes across Goodyear.
Prior to joining Goodyear, he was with Procter & Gamble for 13 years.
Goodyear did not elaborate on the reasons for Mr. de Bok's departure, but Goodyear and Mr. de Bok late last year negotiated an "employment cessation agreement," according to a Goodyear filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Under terms of that agreement, he was given the right to carry the title of senior vice president, sales and marketing excellence, from Jan. 1 to at least Feb. 28, at which time he was to become an "at-will" employee.
The agreement spelled out in detail the salary and perks Mr. de Bok was to receive. He also agreed to confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-disparagement and continued assistance covenants, and to waive and release certain legal rights and claims.
His LinkedIn page still lists him as president, EMEA at Goodyear.
With Mr. de Bok's departure, Goodyear said it's initiating an internal and external search to identify a new sales and marketing excellence leader.
