Cooper, Goodyear managers earn STEP awards

Goodyear notes that Ms. Miller often goes above and beyond to ensure the plant is operating as efficiently as possible, helping to solve problems, even if they are outside of her purview. Her dedication, the tire maker said, was apparent when she became the first Topeka associate to be certified as a plant optimization practitioner.

Her leadership in the manufacture of new products extends outside of materials handling and includes production, quality, engineering, human resources and finance.

Ms. Miller's leadership has been a inspiration to many within her workplace and throughout her community, Goodyear said. She was nominated to attend the Topeka YWCA Leadership Momentum Program and later nominated four others for the honor. Currently, Ms. Miller is working to establish the Topeka branch of the Goodyear Women's Network to help connect and empower women throughout the company.

Outside of the office, Goodyear said, Ms. Miller impacts others with her community service. She started two non-profit organizations that allow local children to participate in football and cheerleading at little to no cost for community families, and she is active in the Upward Sports program, Go Topeka (a division of the Chamber of Commerce), the Greater Topeka United Way and more.

She is a member of the board of directors for the Auburn-Washburn Public School Foundation and participates in volunteering and fundraising opportunities for Shooting Star Equine Rescue Inc.

Throughout her career with Cooper Tire, Ms. Roman has helped improve communications on a variety of levels as vice president of communications and public affairs. Her work improved the firm's intranet, which strengthened the skills of others and included them in the communications process.

Further, her communication efforts have helped to enhance Cooper's reputation around the globe as she works to promote the company's technology and advancement. She has played a key role in marketing the tire maker's sustainability efforts in the research and development of alternative materials in tire production.

Ms. Roman also leads Cooper's philanthropic efforts for tire safety worldwide. Her team developed the "Tread Wisely" program to demonstrate tire safety in communities, shared tire safety messages through social media and partnered with the National Organizations for Youth Safety. The efforts for her team have reached thousands of teens with messages of tire safety.

Ms. Tinney is the materials manager for Goodyear's Innovation Center Manufacturing Plant, a role that has her overseeing the movement of materials throughout the facility. Her responsibilities include raw material planning, receiving, planning control, purchasing and finished good distribution.

Goodyear notes she has integral in helping to drive the cultural change and engagement on the shop floor. This was emphasized last year, Goodyear said, crediting her with a 331-percent improvement in inventory accuracy and delivering $1.2 million in annual savings, while also reducing waste by 25 percent. This is due in part to her willingness to tackle difficult problems, and her desire to be game changer within the organization.

Ms. Tinney has represented Goodyear at multiple conferences and serves as an advocate for the tire industry, even as she works to mentor young associates.

As a wife and mother, Ms. Tinney works to balance family and work responsibilities, Goodyear said, while also serving as a leader within her church and as an ambassador for the United Way in the Innovation Center Manufacturing. She volunteers at the Akron Food Bank and leads philanthropic efforts that provide aid throughout the holiday season.