FULLERTON, CA - Yokohama Tire Corporation (YTC) announced several strategic management promotions, effective immediately, according to Dan King, Yokohama senior vice president of sales and marketing.

"These organizational changes are part of our progressive effort to continually improve the service we provide to our dealers and deliver the best products to the market," said King.

The promotions include:

Andrew Briggs: from senior manager of motorsports to director of product planning.  "Andrew has a strong track record at YTC," said Dan King. "His contributions to Yokohama's growth have been tremendous and his diverse experience in product planning, motorsports and sales puts him in a unique position to strongly understand what the market needs. I am confident his leadership will make Yokohama even more competitive." Briggs will maintain his responsibility for motorsports, while adding the consumer product planning group to his expanded list of duties.  Briggs reports to King.

Lynn Sweeney: from manager, marketing communications to senior manager, marketing communications."Lynn has been a valued member of the Yokohama marketing team for more than 15 years," said King. "No one knows our dealer marketing programs better than she does and as we increase our focus on our ADVANTAGE Dealer Program, Lynn is in the best position to take it to the next level." In addition, Sweeney will be responsible for POS strategies and dealer communications platforms with an emphasis on the consumer business. Sweeney reports to Fred Koplin, YTC director of marketing communications.

Larry Kull: from western zone manager, consumer sales division to national sales manager, consumer division.  In the new position, Kull will oversee two key Yokohama accounts. Kull will also focus on forecasting, pricing and strategic goals. Kull reports to Shawn Denlein, YTC director of sales, Consumer Products.

Heather Kirkland: from account manager, eastern region to senior account manager. "Heather has demonstrated her ability to grow the business, handle adversity and develop strong relationships with her accounts," said King. Kirkland reports to Kull.

Other organizational changes include:

Ken Hsu: from account manager, western region to manager, dealer programs. His responsibilities include evaluating and developing marketing programs for YTC dealers, including YTC's ADVANTAGE program.  Hsu reports to Sweeney.

Jim Nasoulis: from corporate zone manager to business development manager.  Responsibilities include handling buying group accounts and OE programs. Nasoulis reports to Denlein.

Charlie Smith: from account manager to the newly-created position of national sales trainer, Consumer Division. Responsibilities include providing ongoing sales education and support to the field. Smith reports to Denlein.

Organizational changes in YTC's commercial division have been made as well with an overriding strategic focus to help fleets lower their tire- related expenses.  "Education and business resources will be two key aspects of this commitment," said Rick Phillips, director of commercial sales.  "From proper tire selection that maximizes the life of the tires as assets to reducing the cost per mile for fleets, we want to be a partner in improving a company's bottom line."

The organizational moves, all of which have reporting responsibilities to Phillips, include:

Charles Russell: Current zone manager, strategic truck stops and OEM, assumes the added responsibility of creating the structure for a commercial training and education department.

Mark Sanderson: from district sales manager to manager, commercial training and education. Sanderson is credited for helping establish Yokohama's Commercial Accelerator Sales Enhancement program and has been tapped for his experience and creativity in driving a superior educational program for the company's dealers.

Tommy Bazzell: from national account manager to zone manager, commercial national accounts.  Bazzell was promoted to the National Account Group four years ago and has since managed some of the largest fleets in Yokohama's portfolio.

Dan Funkhouser: from manager, national accounts to zone manager, northern territory. "Dan has been instrumental in developing the strategy and helping set the direction for the entire national account channel," said Phillips.  "He will continue to be invaluable in our aim to understand even better what our customers need to help them succeed in their business."

For more information on Yokohama's extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.