The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) today announced the election of Jeff Barna, President and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corporation, as Chair of the Board of Directors. Barna will serve a two-year term through October 2026. Barna succeeds Alexis Garcin, President and CEO of Michelin North America, Inc., who is stepping down from the USTMA Board to undertake a new role at Michelin.

Barna joined Yokohama Tire Corporation in 2017 as Chief Operating Officer and became CEO in 2021. He has 30 years of managerial, operations, and sales expertise in both North and South American markets. He increased corporate value and accelerated growth by discovering new revenue opportunities and improving market strategy. With his worldwide business expertise and active board responsibilities, he adds cultural and creative opportunities to enhance the organisation's mission.

Barna said, “I am honoured to be elected to the role of Chair of the USTMA Board during a time of substantial innovation and progress in the US tyre manufacturing industry. By fostering a culture of collaboration with the other Board members and allied leaders, policymakers, key stakeholders and our value chain, we will achieve new milestones that drive our shared vision forward to deliver sustainable growth and impactful solutions for our sector, our environment and the communities we serve.”

Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and CEO, added, “Jeff is an accomplished and highly regarded business leader. His deep industry expertise, extensive global leadership and clear-eyed perspective will further solidify USTMA’s strong legacy with our members, supporting them through industry challenges while championing an innovative approach to tire sustainability efforts.” 

The USTMA Board also named Matthew Cabe, President and CEO of Michelin North America, Inc., as a new Director. Cabe has been the senior vice president of the Michelin Group's automotive regional brands business line since 2021, with headquarters in Budapest, Hungary. During his almost 20-year career with Michelin, he has held senior positions in engineering, production, marketing and other commercial responsibilities in North America, Europe and globally.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hankook Tire Europe GmbH has appointed Richard Bezzant as the new Marketing Director Truck and Bus with effect from 1 August 2025.

The British-born marketing and sales expert started his career with Michelin in UK in 2003. He brings with him more than two decades of experience in the tyre business for buses and trucks. Following a five-year period in leadership roles in France, he most recently served as Marketing Director for UK and Ireland, where he was responsible for developing and managing the complete marketing strategy across all business divisions.

Bezzant said, “My goal is to support growth opportunities for Hankook in the European truck and bus sector and expand them further. I am confident that we will be able to build on what has been achieved so far and continue to expand the business with innovative products and services. I am glad to be working with a great team to pursue our goals.”

Jang Hyuk Moon, Vice President – Marketing Department, Hankook Tire Europe, said, “With Richard Bezzant, we have appointed an industry-leading expert for our truck and bus marketing activities. With his decades of experience, we will consistently expand our business in the commercial vehicle sector and strengthen our market position in Europe in the long term.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Apollo Tyres Ltd has strengthened its German operations with the immediate appointment of Denis Virelli as Key Account Manager. In this role, he will oversee the Car Dealer Channel and OEM business. This strategic move highlights the company's focused investment in Germany, identifying car dealerships as a pivotal area for regional growth.

Virelli brings extensive relevant experience from the automotive sector, including a background in tyre sales and a proven track record in senior positions within the car rental industry. His expertise encompasses sales, quality management and leadership of customer service teams. His appointment is a direct reflection of Apollo Tyres' commitment to deepening its partnerships and driving expansion within the important German market.

Alexandra Matuko, Head of Cluster Central Europe at Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “As Key Account Manager, Denis will play a key role in shaping and further developing our dealership business. His proven track record in sales and his deep understanding of customer needs make him a valuable addition to our team.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Anshuman Singhania, Managing Director of JK Tyre & Industries, has been awarded the 'CEO of the Year' by the Top Rankers Management Club. The accolade was presented at the 25th National Management Summit, held in New Delhi on 23 August 2025.

The award recognises Singhania’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision, which have been pivotal in steering the company toward sustained growth and innovation. Under his guidance, JK Tyre has reinforced its position as a leader in radial tyre technology, expanded its global presence and strengthened its dedication to sustainability and customer focus.

In his acceptance speech, Singhania expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am honoured to receive this recognition from the Top Rankers Management Club. This award reflects the collective commitment of the entire JK Tyre team, whose efforts continue to drive our progress. I would like to thank my colleagues, industry partners and stakeholders for their unwavering support in our journey of growth and transformation.”

He has been a key figure in modernising the company, leveraging new technologies and expanding its presence in both domestic and international markets. The 'CEO of the Year' award, presented by the Top Rankers Management Club, celebrates leaders who demonstrate a clear vision for organisational excellence and industry transformation.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hana Technologies, Inc. (Hana RFID) has strengthened its leadership in the Asian market with the appointment of industry veteran Jason Chang as Sales Director for Asia. Based in Shanghai, he will be responsible for managing key customer relationships and driving strategic growth throughout the region.

Chang brings a wealth of relevant experience to the role, with over 15 years in the RFID sector following a successful career in IT. His proven track record includes significant tenures at leading firms like Xerafy, Stora Enso and Beontag. His accomplishments range from pioneering the development of innovative flexible anti-metal tags to launching groundbreaking RFID-based retail solutions that gained widespread adoption in China and Europe. He has also demonstrated a strong capacity for growth, most recently achieving remarkable business expansion in the APAC market.

This appointment is a strategic milestone for Hana RFID, underscoring its commitment to supporting global customers with high-performance technology and expert, on-the-ground leadership. This move highlights Hana RFID's focused strategy on deepening its regional support and providing partners with sophisticated RAIN RFID inlay and embeddable tag solutions, backed by local expertise.

Mike Hetric, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Hana RFID, said, “The appointment of Jason Chang is a significant step forward in improving local availability and supporting our key partners in Asia. Jason’s track record in driving innovation, his deep market knowledge and his commitment to customer success will be invaluable as we expand our footprint in this dynamic region.”

Chang said, “I’m excited to be part of the Hana RFID team, which is recognised in the market as both a key player and a trusted partner for an ever-growing network of label converters, service bureaus and system integrators. I look forward to working alongside our partners in Asia to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional service.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!