Goodyear Names Zekoski to Head Luxembourg Technical Center

AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 7, 2006 -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced today that Joseph Zekoski has been named general director of the company's Luxembourg Technical Center. He replaces Jean Bergh, who is retiring after 37 years of service.

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"Joe is a respected leader in both our technology and business organizations, with an outstanding background working in close partnership with our customers and our businesses," said Joseph M. Gingo, executive vice president, quality systems and chief technical officer. "He has the combination of business, technical and market experience needed to ensure a strong link and integration between those functions."

Zekoski, 55, will report to Gingo and to Arthur de Bok, president of Goodyear's European Union strategic business unit.

Most recently, Zekoski served as director of the company's North American Tire retread business. He joined Goodyear in 1979 as a tire designer, and was director of technology, North American Tire commercial business from 2002 until 2004. Throughout his career he has held numerous technology leadership roles in North American Tire, and was general director of the company's air spring and molded products business.

He holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy, and a master's degree in business administration from California State University - Dominguez Hills.

Bergh, 63, joined Goodyear in 1968 in Luxembourg and was named to his current role in 2002. "Jean Bergh has been a great asset to Goodyear throughout his career," Gingo said. "His experience and leadership will be missed."

Goodyear is the world's largest tire company. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, the company manufactures tires, engineered rubber products and chemicals in more than 90 facilities in 28 countries. It has marketing operations in almost every country around the world. Goodyear employs more than 80,000 people worldwide.

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