Goodyear Appoints New Asia-Pacific President

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced that Pierre E Cohade, formerly executive vice president of worldwide water and beverage company, Groupe Danone, will become president of Goodyear’s Asia-Pacific region. Mr Cohade, who has spent the majority of his career in international positions with Eastman Kodak, will replace Hugh D Pace, who has decided to retire after 30 years of service.

“Pierre brings a wide range of business talent and experience to Goodyear in a region that demands an aggressive strategy,” said Goodyear chairman and chief executive officer Robert J Keegan. “He’s enjoyed success in both established and emerging markets. He’s built sustainable growth in complex business environments and has a proven track record in leading strategic and operational initiatives. “Obviously I know Pierre well from our previous experiences together and am confident that he will be the strong leader we need in this key role to succeed Hugh Pace,” Mr Keegan added.

Cohade received a degree in finance from the Ceram European School of Business in Sophia-Antipolis, France in 1984, and graduated at the top of his MBA class at Penn State University in 1985. Hugh Pace spent the past six years as president of the Asia-Pacific region after extensive international experience that started with an assignment in Brazil in commercial tyre sales. He worked in Peru, Venezuela, Akron, Argentina and Mexico prior to accepting the regional president’s position for Asia-Pacific.

“We wish Hugh and his family nothing but the best,” said Robert Keegan. Cohade will assume responsibility for the Asia-Pacific region immediately.