The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced that Jean-Claude Kihn will be president of its Europe, Middle East and Africa business. Currently the president of Goodyear’s Latin America business, Kihn will fully assume his new role on January 1, 2016. He succeeds Darren R. Wells, who will leave the company in early 2016.
“Jean-Claude is a well-rounded executive with leadership experience in all of our regions and every aspect of our operations,” said Kramer. “As Goodyear’s chief technical officer, he led our technology and innovation progress and was responsible for research, development, engineering, and quality worldwide. He also has managed our Latin America strategic business unit, and has excelled at building customer relationships. We believe Jean-Claude is the right leader to take our EMEA business to the next level of performance.”
Kihn, 56, joined Goodyear in 1988 as an engineer in the company’s technical center in his native Luxembourg. A member of Goodyear’s senior leadership team since 2008, he has served as chief technical officer, senior vice president and managing director of Goodyear Brazil, and most recently, president of the company’s Latin America business unit.
“We deeply appreciate everything Darren Wells has done for Goodyear during his 13 years with the company,” said Kramer. “First as treasurer and later as CFO, Darren led numerous initiatives that were critical to the company’s turnaround and ensuring its long-term financial health. As president of EMEA, he laid the groundwork for future success in the region.”