NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) has promoted Kurt Danielson to president of its U.S. and Canada Commercial Tire Sales business, filling a position vacant since last August when Ken Weaver retired.
In addition to his new post, Bridgestone said Mr. Danielson also will assume the role of senior vice president of Bridgestone Americas Inc. The company said it is beginning a search to fill Mr. Danielson's previous position as head of Bridgestone Commercial Solutions.
Mr. Danielson will be responsible for overseeing and guiding all of BATO's business operations within the commercial tire portfolio. In that capacity, “he will guide efforts to grow market share, identify and bring to market new products and services, create business efficiencies and grow and identify talent.”
Mr. Danielson will report directly to Gordon Knapp, CEO and president of BATO.
“Kurt Danielson brings a rich history, deep knowledge base and strong leadership skills to his new position,” Mr. Knapp said. “Kurt has been leading the Bridgestone Commercial Solutions team as president since 2011.
“Under his leadership, he has successfully overseen a smooth transition of two internal divisions while realizing sustained and solid growth in the commercial tire market. Kurt is a strong leader who will continue to guide us toward greater opportunities in the future.”
Bridgestone said Mr. Danielson has “an established career in sales and marketing,” joining the company in 1994 as a territory manager. Since then he has served in positions of increasing responsibility with the company, including his most recent job, which he started in May 2011.
He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Michigan. Among other activities, Bridgestone said Mr. Danielson “actively volunteers with Hands on Nashville, helping to address critical issues facing the Middle Tennessee community such as hunger, homelessness and environmental issues.”
BATO, a business unit of Bridgestone Americas Inc., focuses on retail, wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires, as well as retreads, to the company's customers in the Americas.