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Goodyear Names Two General Managers for Kelly Brand

5 October 1998

Goodyear Names Two General Managers for Kelly Brand

    AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 5 -- As part of the continuing integration
of Goodyear and Kelly-Springfield, two individuals have been named to new
positions to strengthen the Kelly and private brands as part of the North
American Tire brand portfolio of products, according to Marco Molinari, vice
president of sales and marketing.
    Neal Valentine, formerly general manager for Goodyear-Spain, and Brandon
Stotsenburg, formerly director, associate brands for Dayton Tire, will become
general managers, respectively, for the wholesale distribution of custom
brands and the Kelly brands sales organization, Molinari said.
    Stotsenburg, 33, will report to Chuck Mick, director of dealer sales for
North American Tire.  Stotsenburg served as western regional manager for
Bridgestone/Firestone before being named director of Dayton/Road King sales in
1996.  In July of 1998, he was promoted to director of Dayton associate
brands.
    Valentine, who will report to Jim Vogel, director of corporate accounts,
has worked in Chile, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, France and Germany before becoming
general manager in Spain in 1996.  The 36-year-old Valentine gained valuable
experience by managing associate brands in France and as Fulda export manager
for Europe while residing in Germany.  Both Mick and Vogel will continue to
report to Molinari.
    "We are extremely pleased to have two individuals with the qualifications
of Neal and Brandon heading the future efforts of these key divisions within
the integrated North American organization," Molinari said.  "Their past
assignments and experience will bring a wealth of versatility to the
organization.  Their accomplishments throughout their careers speak for
themselves.
    "These moves will help to strengthen the overall brand strategy and market
position for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in our home market," Molinari
added.
    With the integration of the Kelly brand into the corporate offering, two
positions in the Kelly-Springfield organization have been eliminated.  Frank
James, 62, vice president of Kelly brand sales, will be aiding in the
transition to the integrated market-driven organization. John O'Rourke, 54,
vice president custom brands, has chosen to take early retirement.
    "We certainly appreciate the efforts of Frank and John in helping Kelly-
Springfield and its custom brands division gain respect and a solid position
in the industry," Molinari said.  "Their groundwork will allow the North
American Tire operations to build Kelly and its associate brands into an
overall multi-brand strategy that will offer retailers added advantages, and
Goodyear further opportunities for growth and profitability."