The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has appointed a new managing director for the next phase of its growth in the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Effective December 1, 2012, Ron Castro will take up the newly created position of Managing Director for Goodyear Philippines & Distributor Markets. He will have direct responsibility for the Philippines business and oversight on the strategy and development of programs for Taiwan, Vietnam and Hong Kong. Castro will report to Paul Cadena, Managing Director for Goodyear ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and relocate to the company’s Manila office.

Castro, who has been with Goodyear since 2005 as the Director for Communications – Asia Pacific, has over 26 years experience in senior sales, marketing, product, and communications roles with companies such as Eastman Kodak Company, SkyTel, Lintas and BBDO Worldwide, in addition to Goodyear.  He is a Philippine national with extensive knowledge of the region and local tire market, having served as the Goodyear Philippines Marketing Director for a period when he first joined the company.

Goodyear ASEAN Managing Director, Paul Cadena, welcomed the new appointment.
“Ron has demonstrated leadership experience in people development, brand building and process orientation,” Mr. Cadena said.

“He also brings a strong understanding of the tire industry and customers, backed by the ability to transfer strategic and tactical knowledge across Asia Pacific markets, which he has done extensively throughout his career.

"With his proven leadership and strong skills and experience, I am extremely confident Ron will make significant contributions to the success of our Philippines business.”

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies.  It employs approximately 71,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 22 countries around the world.  Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.  For more information about Goodyear, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.