Executives on the move: Hankook promotes key U.S. positions

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hankook Tire & Technology has promoted Rob Williams to president of Hankook Tire America Corp. He previously served as senior vice president of North America sales.

The Korean tire maker also promoted Jong Jin (JJ) Park to vice president of USA PC/LT sales; Intae (Ted) Choi to vice president of North American marketing strategy; and Byoungjoe (Joe) Park to vice president of corporate management.

"We are committed to the U.S. and Canada markets, and Rob, JJ and Ted have all contributed greatly to our growth in the region," Sooil Lee, CEO of Hankook Tire & Technology, said.

As president, Williams will oversee the U.S. and Canada regions and will lead four departments and direct teams, including the Tennessee plant and TBR sales department, a role he's held since joining Hankook in January 2019.

"This is an exciting time for Hankook in the U.S. and Canadian markets as we continue to drive innovation across our passenger and commercial tire portfolios," Williams said.

JJ Park will oversee sales innovation, corporate sales, as well as the north, south and west regional USA PC/LT sales teams.

Choi will be responsible for marketing strategy, TBR marketing, technical services and Canada sales, as well as supply chain and logistics operations. He will continue his role as vice president of Tennessee plant management support.

Byoungjoe Park will oversee finance, accounting, tax and internal audit functions for Hankook Tire America as well as for Hankook Tire's Canadian subsidiary.

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LEESBURG, Va. — The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has elected its 2023 board of directors during its annual ASE board meeting in Arizona.

The new board members are:

• Chair: Homer Hogg, vice president, truck service, TravelCenters of America;
• Vice Chair: Tom Trisdale, vice president, quality compliance, Toyota Motor Sales;
• Treasurer: Jason Rainey, vice president, NAPA AutoCare;
• Secretary: John Wolf, president, Snap-on Business Solutions; and
• Past Chair: Brad Pellman, president, Pellman's Automotive.

The ASE also elected three governors to its board of governors: Stacy Balzar of Ford; Elisha Huddleston of General Motors and Gary Uyematsu of BMW.

The ASE is a non-profit organization that provides assessment, certification and credentialing of current and future industry vehicle service professionals.

PHILADELPHIA — Atturo Tire Corp. has hired Jeremy Wurst as its northeast sales director as part of its efforts to expand its dealer and distributor channels across the northeast U.S.

Wurst brings 15-plus years of industry experience to his position with Atturo, including time spent with Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc., Sentury Tire USA Inc., Yokohama Tire Corp. and Michelin North America Inc.

Wurst will serve customers in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont who have access to Atturo's warehouse in Latrobe, Pa.

"Jeremy has a proven track record of driving growth for several other industry brands, and we are excited he is bringing those talents to our team here at Atturo," Karl Becker, general manager of Atturo Tire, said.

NEW YORK — Data analytics firm GfK has hired tire industry veteran Miguel Quiros as vice president, market intelligence for the U.S. tire industry.

Quiros will manage GfK's manufacturer relationships, GfK said, helping clients leverage its data, from forecasting to pricing to product development. The firm said that by understanding market trends and consumer needs, tire makers can make products "that will resonate with customers and be relevant for their needs."

Quiros worked at Goodyear for more than 30 years, advancing from consumer sales to general manager of category strategy and planning for U.S. retail company-owned stores, OE and Canada. GfK said Quiros helped to launch "relevant and innovative products" to North America, while driving the introduction and implementation of retail category management.

More recently, Quiros worked at national tire retailers Monro and Pep Boys, where GfK said he initiated market-back category strategies leveraging syndicated data and working closely with tire manufacturers.

MONTREAL — Groupe Touchette Inc. has hired tire industry veteran Tony Mougios as vice president of strategic affairs and growth.

In this newly created position, Mougios will support Groupe Touchette's growth objectives in addition to developing and supporting the company's sustainable development strategies and environmental, social and governance (ESG) best practices.

He comes to Groupe Touchette from Michelin North America (Canada) Inc., where he most recently was commercial director for consumer products.

Nicolas Touchette, co-owner and CEO of Groupe Touchette, said Mougios is the "ideal candidate" to support Touchette's strategic thinking and growth plan.

"Tony Mougios is a key figure in the North American tire industry and a sought-after speaker on the global stage, both for his deep knowledge of the industry and its products, and for his strategic vision," he said.

Groupe Touchette nearly doubled in size last year with the acquisition of National Tire Distributors.

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — A new era has begun at Leeds West Groups (LWG).

Derek Wessels, formerly LWG's chief operating officer and president of automotive, has been named CEO of the 14-year-old company, succeeding Judd Shader, the company founder, who now becomes executive chairman.

In addition, Joshua Weinreich, chairman of the board of directors, has been named a board member.

In his new role, Wessels will oversee the daily operations of the company. He has more than 20 years of automotive retail management experience, including the last three years, when he worked closely with Shader.

Meanwhile, Shader will focus on the growth and expansion of the company globally across all of its investment platforms.

Wessels previously worked at Bridgestone Retail Operations, where he held senior level management positions with Firestone Complete Auto Care, according to LWG.

Since founding the firm in 2009, Shader has helped it grow to 123 retail locations in 18 states, with more than 1,000 employees.

LWG operates Big O Tires, Midas and SpeeDee Oil franchises.

PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. — Mighty Distributing System has promoted Matt Shaw to vice president of sales and Chris Adams to chief revenue officer.

Shaw, who joined Mighty as director of sales in 2020 and was promoted to senior director of sales in 2021, is succeeding Mike Hudgins, who is retiring after 35 years with the company.

Hudgins started his career with Mighty in 1978, working in a company warehouse in North Carolina. He moved into sales shortly after and eventually rose to vice president, tasked with a number of sales, national accounts and training-related activities.

Adams joined Mighty in January 2020 as vice president, franchise development, and was soon promoted to vice president, franchise development and operations, tasked with helping manage franchise operational support.

As chief revenue officer, he will assume responsibility for Mighty's sales department.

MILAN, Italy — Pirelli & C. S.p.A. has hired Italian financial services veteran Antonio Paccioretti to be its executive vice president for finance and services.

Reporting to deputy-CEO Giorgio Luca Bruno, Paccioretti will coordinate the areas of tax, finance, mergers and acquisitions and risk management, real estate and facility, information security and administration, planning and controlling.

Prior to joining Pirelli, Paccioretti was chief financial officer of engineering firm Saipem S.p.A., the tire maker said. Prior to that, he was CFO of Italian energy infrastructure companies Snam and Italgas.

Pirelli also announced that it had extended the responsibilities of Fabio Bocchio, executive vice president, administration, planning and controlling, to cover the company's accounting documents.

Bocchio is taking over the new responsibility from Bruno, who is in line to take over the CEO's position in the spring.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — Sumitomo Rubber North America (SRNA) has promoted Rob Montasser to vice president, replacement sales.

Darren Thomas, SRNA's CEO and president, announced the promotion, emphasizing that it "illustrates SRNA's commitment to advancing key team members throughout our organization in recognition of their contributions."

Thomas lauded Montasser's work with Dunlop motorcycle tires, Falken's sister brand, and said his "tenure, dedication and commitment to both SRNA and our parent company, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., further established him as the right choice for this position."

In his new role, Montasser said he will work to increase sales across all lines.

HANGZHOU, China — Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber) has named John Ruddy as European OTR tire sales director and Mark Turner as European agriculture tire sales director.

Both have been involved in the tire industry for decades.

Ruddy joined ZC Rubber as European OTR sales manager in 2019. He said the tire maker has established "a great network across every corner of Europe market. The one-stop supply of premium quality off-the-road tires brings great benefits to our Europe partners."

Turner has spent 25 years in the agriculture tire business. He served as vice chairman of the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO) agricultural sub-committee; coordinator of the experimental standards group within the ETRTO agricultural sub-committee; and the farm and industrial tire representative at the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA).