Cooper Makes Sales & Marketing Appointments

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has made five key sales and marketing appointments that are as follows: Phil Kortokrax moves into the newly created position of vice president, dealer channel sales, and will be responsible for realigning the sales and marketing team with a channel and market-facing focus. Currently the general manager of Cooper’s Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels, Kortokrax started his career with Cooper in 1990 and has worked in computer programming, production management, as director of internal audit. He earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Findlay, Findlay, Ohio, and a master’s in business administration from the University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio.

Adam Zickert has accepted the position of director, wholesale channel. Zickert joined Cooper in 2005 as Great Lakes regional sales manager and most recently worked as business development manager for the North Central region. He previously worked as sales and marketing director for Rockford Products Corporation. Zickert earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Rockford College, Rockford, Illinois.

Gary Schroeder will be the new director, independent and regional retailer channel. Previously, Schroeder worked as director of market development, as director of credit and as director of financial planning and analysis. He joined Cooper in 2002 as the global director of cost and reporting. A Findlay resident, Schroeder earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, N.C. He is a member of Financial Executives International.

John Kairys has accepted the newly created position of director, national retailer sales, responsible for advancing the Cooper brand with national retailers in the North American market. A Cooper employee since 1999, Kairys previously worked as a business development manager, sales manager for the regional retail division and, most recently, as senior account executive, private brands. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, Pa., and has won numerous sales performance awards throughout his career.

Steve Sawyer will be promoted to the position of director, marketing operations, responsible for aligning the pricing, program, market analysis and customer service areas. Most recently the director of customer marketing, Sawyer has been a Cooper employee since 1985. He previously worked as logistics coordinator, transport manager, domestic and international customer service manager, marketing services manager and marketing program pricing manager. Sawyer transferred in 2003 to the Findlay office from Cooper-Avon headquarters in Melksham, England. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and an MBA from The University of Findlay.