NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 7, 2014) — Kenneth Allen, president of Bridgestone Agricultural Tire, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales (BAAG), a division of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), retired at the end of June after a dozen years with Bridgestone.
Mr. Allen led the manufacturing, sales and marketing of Firestone-brand agricultural, forestry and light construction tires for more than six years.
“Highly regarded in the industry, Ken led the realignment of our agricultural business in recent years,” said Kurt Danielson, president, U.S. & Canada Commercial Tire Sales.
A search for his replacement is under way; Mr. Danielson will lead the division in the interim, the company said.
“His leadership and commitment has been instrumental in turning around our agricultural tire business, guiding the development of several key agricultural tire products and helping us to deliver industry-leading service to our customers. We are grateful for Ken's many contributions over the last decade and he will be missed.”
Mr. Allen began his career at Bridgestone as an export sales manager for Firestone Agricultural Tire Company in 2002 and later joined the Off Road Products Group (ORPD) as general manager export sales and was promoted to director—global OEM of engineering and export sales for ORPD.
In 2007, Mr. Allen transitioned back to the agricultural group as executive director of sales and marketing, Bridgestone said, where he was promoted to vice president and, in 2009, president.
He attended Iowa State University, earning his bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and earned a master's degree in business and education from Drake University.
Mr. Allen will retire to his home at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, where he plans to dedicate time to his family and one of his passions, boating, Bridgestone said. He also will continue his advocacy for the agriculture industry through roles with the National FFA (Future Farmers of America), the National Council for Agricultural Education and a board position with the National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO).