Bridgestone Americas Names New President of Commercial Business for U.S. & Canada

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 18, 2017 -- Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) today announced Bridgestone executive Scott Damon has been named president, commercial group, U.S. and Canada for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), effective October 1. Damon will oversee all business operations within the commercial tire portfolio, succeeding Kurt Danielson, who is retiring after 23 years with the company.

"Kurt's leadership has been instrumental in growing our commercial tire and service business, and he has positioned the team for continued success after his retirement," said Gordon Knapp, CEO and president, Bridgestone Americas. "Scott started his Bridgestone career in the Commercial organizations, and has since gained diversified leadership experience across the Bridgestone portfolio. We are eager to bring his talents to such a pivotal role within the company."

As president, Damon will be responsible for leading the company's commercial tire sales and service operations in North America, which includes truck and bus radial (TBR) tires, off-the-road (OTR) tires, Firestone agricultural tires, the company's Bandag retread business, as well as commercial retail operations. Damon will guide efforts to grow market share, identify and bring new products, services and technology solutions to market, streamline business efficiencies and develop talent.

Damon joined Bridgestone in 1996 as Development Engineer for Bandag^® , which was acquired by Bridgestone Americas in 2007. During his career with Bridgestone, Damon has served in various roles of increasing responsibility, including executive director of strategic planning for the Bridgestone Americas Technical Center and, most recently, president of Firestone Industrial Products (FSIP). Damon graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, earned an MBA from Frostburg State University and completed certificate studies in executive leadership and management at the University of Notre Dame.

Danielson is retiring after an extensive career with Bridgestone, including his current role as president of U.S. and Canada commercial tire sales, which he has held since May 2014. He joined Bridgestone in 1994 as a territory manager in Cincinnati, Ohio, and throughout his tenure progressed through numerous leadership positions within the company.

For more company news, visit BridgestoneAmericas.com.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.