Executives on the move: Kumho names U.S. CEO, Toyo promotes 3

ATLANTA — Kumho Tire Co. Inc. appointed Nam Hwa "Ed" Cho as chief executive officer of North America. He will also lead the sales and operations efforts for Kumho's Canada and South American divisions.

Cho replaces Yongsik Shin, who served as head of the America business division since 2019, overseeing the company's three main businesses in North America.

Cho has a 30-year history at Kumho Tire, where he has held various leadership positions as the managing director of Kumho Australia and Kumho USA, as well as the senior vice president of global supply chain management and global marketing.

He received his MBA from Purdue University and joins Kumho Tire USA after his most recent position within the company as the president of its European branch.

With his extensive knowledge of the industry and the company's operations, Cho will continue to lead and grow Kumho Tire from his new role in North America, the company said.

"The tire industry is ever-changing, and our plan is to strategically work with our customers for continued growth together," Cho said. "We have a strong team here at KUSA that will continue to support our dealers from every angle of the business towards success as well as enhancement of the brand."

Kumho was ranked the No. 17 largest tire maker in the world in the most recent Tire Business Global Tire Report, with $2.27 billion in tire sales in 2021.

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DIAMOND BAR, Calif. — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has hired Karen Bailey-Chapman, a trade-industry government affairs veteran, to become its senior vice president, public and government affairs.

In this newly created position, Bailey-Chapman will oversee all government affairs efforts for SEMA and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI), a SEMA subsidiary dedicated to the motorsports market. She will lead programs related to legislation, regulations and government policies on issues affecting climate change, consumer choice, business opportunities, etc.

She will be based at SEMA's Washington offices.

"As the automotive aftermarket is increasingly impacted and threatened by government actions, it is critical that SEMA continues to represent and protect the industry in Washington, D.C.," SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola said, adding that SEMA created the position to strengthen and grow the industry's legislative and advocacy program.

SEMA represents the $51 billion specialty-automotive industry.

BETHESDA, Md. — The Auto Care Association (ACA) has hired Lisa Foshee as senior vice president, government affairs and general counsel.

Foshee will provide leadership and direction for the association's federal and state legislative and regulatory efforts, the ACA said.

These efforts include educating legislators on issues of importance to ACA members; building grassroots support among members and consumers for the association's legislative and regulatory objectives; informing and updating members on regulatory and legislative developments important to their businesses; and assisting members with federal, state and local law compliance.

"The integration of vehicle technology and policy is integral to our industry's success, and Lisa's strong legal background and expertise in regulatory affairs and litigation will serve our members well in our ongoing fight for the right to repair as well as future technologies that will affect our industry at all levels," ACA President and CEO Bill Hanvey said.

Foshee previously worked at AT&T, where she represented AT&T's Internet of Things group.

BETHESDA, Md. — The Auto Care Association (ACA) has hired longtime automotive aftermarket executive Ted Hughes to be senior director of community engagement and executive director of its Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) community.

Hughes will lead the association's efforts to evolve community engagement among its members while also serving as the liaison between the association and the AWDA.

In his role as senior director of community engagement, Hughes will be establishing engagement strategies; communicating membership benefits to existing and prospective members while also strengthening the communities' membership base; and implementing community practices and policies to provide association members with maximum value, the ACA said.

As AWDA executive director, Hughes will provide guidance and primary administrative support for all AWDA-related organizational activities, including assistance in the engagement, growth and retention of this 600-plus member community.

Since 2020, Hughes has been the vice chair of the ACA's marketing communications committee and the chair of the marketing executives committee for the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association.

MONROVIA, Calif. — CMA L.L.C., the North American subsidiary of Double Coin Holdings Ltd., has appointed John Lynch as its Rocky Mountain regional sales manager.

Lynch, previously a key account manager at Toyo Tires USA Inc., will be based in Denver and cover a seven-state region covering Colorado to Washington.

Lynch began his career in business development and sales with Michelin North America.

Aaron Murphy, senior vice president of CMA, said the role was created to support customers in the Mountain and Pacific time zones.

"John is a seasoned tire professional with a history of consultancy to customers and is pivotal to this region's growth," Murphy said.

CYPRESS, Calif. — Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has promoted two members of the company's leadership team, Mike Snyder and Kenny Frederick, to new positions.

Snyder has been named senior director of strategic accounts and Frederick has become the director of sales, eastern division.

"These promotions reflect the evolving landscape of the tire industry and are in strategic alignment with the company's future growth plans," Toyo said.

Snyder joined Toyo in 1993 and previously served as the director of sales, strategic accounts, where he helped grow the dealer segment.

"My goal in this expanded role will be to continue the growth of share within the customer's business and within the markets," Snyder said.

"Toyo Tire is one of the finest products in the market today and the demand for our products remain strong."

Frederick has been with Toyo for over a decade, most recently as strategic account manager.

He brings more than 35 years of experience to his new leadership role, the company said.

"I am very proud of our Toyo Tire customer base, and I believe we have the best customers in the industry," Frederick said.

"I am honored to work with each of them in my new role and to continue to create a strong, healthy partnership within this competitive environment."

CYPRESS, CALIF. — Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. has promoted Rob Lovi, previously the director of sales, national strategic accounts, to vice president of sales.

Toyo said the move is part of its succession plan following the appointment of Mike Graber to president and CEO earlier this year.

Lovi joined Toyo as a director of sales in July 2018, and has nearly 18 years of tire industry experience.

Graber said Lovi has been an integral part of the Toyo Tire team.

"As Toyo Tires continues its rapid growth in the United States, Lovi's sales leadership and extensive experience within the tire industry will help support our future goals and serve our dealers well,' Graber said.

"We are thrilled to have him assume this new role with us moving forward."

Lovi previously worked at Michelin North America and was vice president of sales and marketing for Vector Fleet Management L.LC.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — TBC Brands L.L.C. has promoted 16-year TBC Corp. veteran Brent Wolak to director of sales, tasked with leading all sales and growth efforts for TBC Brands' business.

Wolak joined TBC in 2006 as marketing manager for TBC Corp.'s distribution division.

During his time at TBC, he has taken on roles of increasing responsibility spanning sales and business development, the company said.

Among other things, he was involved in initiatives focused on reinventing and redefining the sales and customer engagement processes.

Under his leadership, TBC said, the team has identified development opportunities and built relationships, further solidifying TBC Brands as the provider of choice.

"Brent has made significant contributions to TBC Brands throughout his 16-year tenure," Geoff Doster, president and COO of TBC Brands and TBC International, said.

Wolak is taking over duties previously held by Doster, who was promoted to his current position in February.

TBC Brands oversees TBC Corp.'s private and import tire brand business.

Among the company's brands are: Crosswind, Delta, Eldorado, Harvest King, Multi-Mile, Navitrac, Power King, Prinx, Sailun, Sumitomo, Towmax, Towstar and Trailer King.

MILAN, Italy — Ning Gaoning has stepped down as chair of Pirelli & C. S.p.A.'s board of directors, effective Oct. 8, in connection his resigning from the chairmanship of Sinochem Holdings Corp., Pirelli's Chinese state-owned parent company.

Ning has been chair of the Pirelli board since August 2018, when he succeeded Ren Jianxin, after he had resigned from his position at Sinochem.

According to Pirelli, Sinochem's new board chair, Li Fanrong, will "accept his eventual appointment by 'co-optation' onto the board of directors of Pirelli as well as for the role of chairman of the company."

Pirelli Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Marco Tronchetti Provera will convene a board meeting to propose the "co-optation" of Li and his subsequent nomination as chairman of the board of directors.

Li, chair of Sinochem since August, has extensive working experience in petrochemical industry, according to Sinochem.

As of Oct. 8, Ning does not hold shares and/or other financial instruments issued by Pirelli, the Italian tire group stated.

CAMBRIDGE, Ontario — The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC) has appointed Andrew Mutch of Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. and Kim Rolfe of Continental Tire Canada Inc. to its board of directors.

The pair will complete the terms of Antoine Sautenet of Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. and Matt Livigni of Continental Tire Canada Inc., who resigned from the board after being promoted to positions with their companies outside of Canada.

In addition, Pam Scarrow of Bridgestone Candada Inc., Chris Figel of AirBoss of America Corp. and Rolfe have been named first vice chair, second vice-chair and treasurer, respectively.

TRAC Chairman Paul Downey, president and CEO of Pliteq Inc., said Sautenet and Livigni have served the organization "with distinction. We are grateful for their leadership and dedication and wish them both well in their new roles in France and South Africa, respectively."

Downey also welcomed Mutch and Rolfe to the board.

"We look forward to their expertise and support in advancing TRAC's mission, vision and strategic priorities," he said.

Mutch, president of Michelin's Canadian operations, has more than 30 years of experience working at all three of Michelin's factories in Nova Scotia as well as facilities in Oklahoma, and South Carolina. He has held roles in industrial engineering, manufacturing management, human resources and strategic planning and investments.

Rolfe, controller and assistant treasurer of Continental Tire Canada, has worked in various positions in the U.S., Germany, and Canada during a 27-year career. Rolfe has held roles in auditing, corporate accounting, plant and sales office controlling .

Other board members are: Dean Pearson, Cabot Canada Ltd.; Keshav Das, BKT Tires (Canada) Inc.; Maureen Kline, Pirelli Tire Inc.; and Paul Christou, Goodyear Canada Inc.