Stephens Named Prez Of Cooper Tire

FINDLAY, Ohio, Dec. 5 -- Cooper Tire & Rubber Company today named D. Richard Stephens as president of Cooper Tire. Stephens was previously president of the International Tire Division of Cooper Tire, the position he held since December 2000. As president, Stephens will be responsible for the worldwide tire operations which includes three operating units: North American Tire Division, International Tire Division and Commercial Products Division. A twenty-five year veteran of Cooper, Stephens' has also served as vice president technical and commercial tire operations, vice president of technical, director of technical, manager of product development and manager of compound development. Stephens earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Akron, Akron, Ohio. He earned his MBA from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, and completed the Harvard University Advanced Management Program. Stephens is a member of the Tire Management Committee of the Rubber Manufacturers' Association, the Society of Automotive Engineers, Product Development Management Association and the Akron Rubber Group. In making the appointment, Thomas A. Dattilo, Cooper's Chairman, President and CEO said, "Dick will make a great leader for Cooper Tire and move us forward in successfully executing our Cooper 21 plans and strategies."