Yokohama makes personnel changes

ERJ staff report (TB)

Fullerton, California -- Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) has announced several strategic management promotions aimed at improving service to dealers.

Dan King, Yokohama senior vice president of sales and marketing, called the changes “part of our progressive effort to continually improve the service we provide to our dealers and deliver the best products to the market.”

The promotions, which take effect immediately, include:
Andrew Briggs-from senior manager of motorsports to director of product planning. “Andrew has a strong track record at YTC,” King said. “His contributions to Yokohama's growth have been tremendous and his diverse experience in product planning, motorsports and sales puts him in a unique position to strongly understand what the market needs. I am confident his leadership will make Yokohama even more competitive.” Briggs, who will report to King, will maintain his responsibility for motorsports while adding the consumer product planning group to his expanded list of duties.
Lynn Sweeney-from manager of marketing communications, to senior manager, marketing communications. “Lynn has been a valued member of the Yokohama marketing team for more than 15 years,” according to King. “No one knows our dealer marketing programs better than she does and as we increase our focus on our Advantage Dealer Program, Lynn is in the best position to take it to the next level.” Ms. Sweeney also will be responsible for point-of-sale strategies and dealer communications platforms with an emphasis on the consumer business. She reports to Fred Koplin, YTC director of marketing communications.
Larry Kull-from western zone manager, consumer sales division, to national sales manager, consumer division. In the new position, Yokohama said Kull will oversee two key company accounts and also will focus on forecasting, pricing and strategic goals. He reports to Shawn Denlein, YTC director of sales, consumer products.
Heather Kirkland-from account manager, eastern region, to senior account manager. “Heather has demonstrated her ability to grow the business, handle adversity and develop strong relationships with her accounts,” King said. She reports to Kull.

Other organisational changes announced by Fullerton-based Yokohama include:

Ken Hsu-from account manager, western region, to manager, dealer programs. His responsibilities include evaluating and developing marketing programs for YTC dealers, including the Advantage program. Hsu reports to Ms. Sweeney.

Jim Nasoulis-from corporate zone manager to business development manager. Nasoulis, whose responsibilities include handling buying group accounts and OE programs, reports to Denlein.
Charlie Smith-from account manager to the newly-created position of national sales trainer, consumer division. His responsibilities include providing ongoing sales education and support to the field. Smith reports to Denlein.

Yokohama said it has made organisational changes to its commercial division, as well, with an overriding strategic focus to help fleets lower their tyre-related expenses. “Education and business resources will be two key aspects of this commitment,” said Rick Phillips, YTC's director of commercial sales. “From proper tyre selection that maximises the life of the tyres as assets to reducing the cost per mile for fleets, we want to be a partner in improving a company's bottom line.”

The following personnel in the commercial division, who will report to Phillips, have new assignments:
Charles Russell-Current zone manager, strategic truck stops and OEM, assumes the added responsibility of creating the structure for a commercial training and education department.
Mark Sanderson-from district sales manager to manager, commercial training and education. Sanderson is credited for helping establish Yokohama's Commercial Accelerator Sales Enhancement program and has been tapped for his experience and creativity in driving a superior educational program for the company's dealers, the company said.
Tommy Bazzell-from national account manager to zone manager, commercial national accounts. Bazzell was promoted to the National Account Group four years ago and has since managed some of the largest fleets in Yokohama's portfolio.
Dan Funkhouser-from manager, national accounts, to zone manager, northern territory. “Dan has been instrumental in developing the strategy and helping set the direction for the entire national account channel,” Phillips said. “He will continue to be invaluable in our aim to understand even better what our customers need to help them succeed in their business.”

YTC is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo -based Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.

From Tire Business   (A Crain publication)

Press release from Yokohama