Goodyear Tire Shakes Up Its Management

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has announced a number of top-level management changes, including the naming of corporate vice presidents with responsibility for worldwide advertising and tire manufacturing.

The company said Thursday that it is putting responsibility for tire manufacturing on a world basis rather than a continental or regional one.

Further, the company said 644 salaried employees accepted an early retirement option offered during a five-week period that ended Dec. 19. The retirements represent 9.7% of the 6,651 salaried positions on the Akron, Ohio, headquarters payroll and with the Kelly-Springfield and Lee Tire subsidiaries.

As part of the management consolidation, William J. Sharp, 45, was elected by the board of directors this week to oversee tire manufacturing. Sharp had been stationed in Brussels as production director for Goodyear’s European operations.

James K. DeVoe was elected corporate vice president responsible for worldwide advertising. DeVoe will succeed George S. Lenox, who is retiring. DeVoe’s former position as director of advertising will not be filled, the company said.

Richard A. Davies, who has been a corporate vice president responsible for tire manufacturing in North America, becomes vice president of manufacturing for Kelly-Springfield, replacing John B. Row, who is retiring as executive vice president-manufacturing.