Larry Magee, currently chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Retail Operations, has been promoted to president of the consumer tire unit.
John Baratta has been promoted to vice president of the division, a title he will hold concurrently with his position as president of replacement tire sales for the U.S. and Canada Consumer Tire Sales Division. Baratta will report directly to Magee.
In his new role, Magee, with the support of Baratta, will be responsible for the strategic direction of the division and the continued enhancement of the company’s relationships with its customers and consumers.
Baratta will focus on consumer tire sales operations with an emphasis on the dealer and corporate account channels.
His experience, however, “will also be invaluable in assisting Magee and the team to further strengthen” the original equipment, retail and Credit First, NA (CFNA) operations “while continuing to grow the Bridgestone and Firestone brands in a highly competitive marketplace,” according to Eduardo Minardi, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and COO of Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
“Larry and John are both very talented executives with a wealth of experience in the tire business, and they each have a keen understanding of what it takes to be successful,” Minardi says. “I’m confident that our consumer tire business is in very capable hands and that under their leadership we will continue to grow our business, serve the needs of our customers, and fulfill our brand promise to provide products and services that meet or exceed consumers’ expectations.”
Matt Hoskins, who had been COO at Bridgestone Retail Operations, has been promoted to president of that division. In his new role, Hoskins will be responsible for the consumer retail businesses, which include more than 2,100 Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Wheel Works and ExpertTire outlets located across the U.S.
“Matt has experience in every facet of our retail business, and with his strategic vision and strong customer focus I know he will build on our retail success and continue to grow the business,” Minardi says.
For more information, visit www.bridgestone- firestone.com.
