NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Bridgestone Americas today announced Eric Higgs, current vice-president of marketing, commercial group, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO), has been named president, truck, bus and retread tires, U.S. and Canada, BATO, effective September 1, 2018.

Eric succeeds Joseph Saoud, who recently assumed the position of president, BATO Latin America.

As president, Higgs will lead sales, distribution and integrated business planning for the commercial tire and retread business in North America. He also will oversee the development and delivery of innovative new products, technologies and services that drive value for original equipment manufacturers, fleet customers and commercial tire dealers.

“This is a pivotal time for our industry as new technologies and data-driven platforms are impacting the way fleet owners and managers do business,” said Scott Damon, president, commercial group, U.S. and Canada, BATO. “Eric has demonstrated his ability to anticipate these shifts and pioneer new ways to create value for our customers and dealers. His commitment to make mobility more efficient for fleet customers makes him the right person to take on the role of president, and I look forward to the development of the team under his leadership.”

Higgs brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in global business roles to his new position. He joined Bridgestone in 2016, and has been instrumental in driving growth for the commercial truck, retread and off-the-road tire businesses through brand-building programs and customer-centric marketing initiatives. Prior to joining Bridgestone, Higgs worked at Kimberly-Clark Corporation where he served as general manager for the Hands & Face category. He also spent 18 years at Procter & Gamble in multiple marketing and manufacturing roles.

Steve Sutherland, current executive director, sales, distribution and global accounts, Firestone Ag, will assume the role of vice-president of marketing, commercial group, U.S. and Canada, BATO. In this role, Sutherland will lead the overarching marketing strategy for the commercial group and have direct marketing oversight for the commercial truck, Bandag retread, off-the-road (OTR) and Firestone Ag tire businesses.

Sutherland has more than 20 years of sales and leadership experience in the tire and rubber industry. He joined Bandag in 1998 as a sales manager and quickly worked his way up in the organization as director of fleet sales, division manager and regional general manager. In 2011, he was promoted to director of sales, distribution and technical services for the Bridgestone commercial organization supporting the OTR, commercial truck tire and retread businesses.

“Steve is a proven leader with a strong track record of success in the tire and rubber industry,” said Damon. “He is the right person to lead the commercial marketing organization at Bridgestone to advance our efforts to deliver innovative products, services and solutions that meet the needs of fleet customers and drive growth for our commercial tire dealers.”