GREENVILLE, S.C. — Jim Micali, chairman and president of Michelin North America, has decided to retire effective Aug. 15, when Dick Wilkerson will take over his post.

Micali assumed his current post in 1996 and the 60-year-old has been with the company since 1977. Micali held a number of positions in the legal department, including two assignments in France, through 1984. He was named general counsel and secretary for Michelin North America in 1985, and became executive vice-president of the North American legal and finance functions in 1990.

Micali served the rubber industry as chairman of the board of the Rubber Manufacturers Association for a one-year term concluding in 2002. He was elected to the board of directors of Sonoco in 2003 and served on the board of directors of Lafarge North America from 2004 to 2006. He is a past chairman of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance and currently chairs the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. He has also received the Order of Merit from the French government.

After his retirement, Micali will consult for Michelin North America and for several companies in South Carolina.

Wilkerson, currently Michelin North America’s executive vice-president for personnel, has been with the company for 28 years. Before his current appointment the 60-year-old was COO for the North American specialty tire product line and had responsibility for the earthmover original equipment business worldwide.

Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America has more than 22,500 employees and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.