Richard J. Kramer has officially become 19th person to lead Goodyear as president or CEO since the company’s founding in 1898.
Robert J. Keegan, Kramer’s predecessor, remains with the firm as executive chairman.
“I am proud to assume the role of CEO as Bob Keegan’s successor,” says Kramer, expressing excitement “not only for the opportunity to lead this great company,” but also for the continued opportunity to participate in the tire industry, which he describes as one of very few industries that has been, and remains, a growth industry after more than 100 years.
“With that pride, and appreciation to Bob and the board for their confidence in me as your new president and CEO, I now look forward with enthusiasm and optimism to the future prospects of Goodyear, building from the foundation established by my predecessor,” Kramer notes.
“When I think about the true measure of Bob’s leadership and the resulting success since he became CEO, I ask myself two questions: Is Goodyear in better shape today as a company? And, is Goodyear better positioned for the future? The answer to both of those questions is an unequivocal yes,” he adds.
Kramer describes Keegan as “a passionate competitor whose contributions as CEO have helped reshape an entire industry.”
Kramer, 46, previously served Goodyear as its chief operating officer since June 2009 and spent three years leading the company’s North American Tire division.
Prior to that, he spent three years as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Kramer joined Goodyear as vice president of corporate finance in 2000. He was named senior vice president of strategy in 2003 and began developing the company’s strategy along with Keegan.
Prior to joining Goodyear, Kramer spent 13 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he served in a variety of roles in the United States and Europe, ultimately as partner. A Cleveland native, Kramer has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from John Carroll University.
Keegan, 62, joined Goodyear in 2000 as chief operating officer. He became president and chief executive officer in January 2003 and chairman of the board in July of that same year. Prior to Goodyear, Keegan was an executive vice president of the Eastman Kodak Co. Aside from a two-year stint as an executive vice president for the Avery Dennison Corp., Keegan spent the bulk of his career from 1972 to 2000 serving in various financial, marketing and operating positions at Kodak.
For more information, visit www.goodyear.com/corporate.
