Bridgestone/Firestone's Bob Martin to Retire
3 April 2000
Bridgestone/Firestone's Bob Martin to Retire
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--March 31, 2000-- Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. announced today that Robert O. Martin, Division Vice President of Quality Assurance, has elected to retire from the company effective April 30, 2000. Martin will be succeeded by Robert J. Wyant, currently Division Vice President Technology. Following his retirement, Martin will continue to serve as a consultant to the company.Martin, who graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor of science degree in engineering, joined The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company (now known as Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.) in Akron in 1957 as a development department trainee. During his forty two years with the BFS, he has contributed to the company in many capacities, including senior sales engineer and division manager passenger tire development (including responsibility for light truck, advanced tire engineering, race tire engineering, process engineering and passenger tire compounding). In 1991 Martin was promoted to director of light truck tire development and director of quality assurance. He was promoted to his present position in 1996. Martin has been recognized by many professional and educational organizations, including the 1988 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award from Purdue University for his contribution to tire engineering and auto safety. Martin has also served in several capacities with the Rubber Manufacturers Association including membership on the Passenger Tire Engineering Committee, the RMA Executive Committee and the TABD/ITC group working on global standardization.
Masatoshi Ono, Chairman and CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone, said: "Bob has been a tremendous asset to the company. His technical expertise, common sense and good judgement have served our customers and those of us in the company well. He has always worked hard to further the best interests of Bridgestone/Firestone. We are very pleased that he has agreed to continue to assist us in a consulting capacity following his official retirement."
Wyant also began his career with Firestone, joining the company in 1965 as a junior engineer in the Akron tire development department. He has held positions of increasing responsibility with the company, including senior sales engineer, department manager of scientific computing and mold design, division manager of advanced tire technology and director product technology. He was promoted into his current assignment in 1999 which includes responsibility for race tire engineering, commercial tire engineering, and materials development. Wyant holds a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Bowling Green University.
Nashville, Tennessee based Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. is the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation of Japan, the world's largest tire and rubber manufacturer. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and private brand tires. The company also produces Firestone air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber, and industrial fibers and textiles.