Goodyear Announces Finance Leadership Changes

Several changes have been made to the senior corporate finance staff at Goodyear Tire & Rubber. The company reports that Damon Audia, formerly vice president and treasurer, has been appointed senior vice president of finance and treasurer. His expanded role includes Goodyear’s investor relations and tax functions.

“Damon has been a key member of Goodyear’s finance organisation over the past four years, and he was particularly instrumental in the execution of the plans to refinance the company over the last several years,” said Goodyear executive vice president and chief financial officer Darren R. Wells. “He has demonstrated the type of leadership we need in this role as we address the challenges of today’s economy.”

In a related move, Richard J. Noechel, formerly vice president and corporate controller, has been appointed vice president of finance for the company’s North American Tire business, replacing Marc O. Voorhees, who has been named chief operating officer of North American Tire’s consumer tyre business. Vice president and chief information officer Thomas A. Connell will replace Noechel as vice president and controller, while retaining his current leadership role for information technology.

“These moves reflect the Goodyear finance team’s focus on building our business,” said Wells. “Rick is an excellent leader and has a strong finance and accounting background – both critical qualities in today’s challenging environment. And, Tom returns to his former role as controller, where he has long been viewed as setting the standard for excellence in supporting the businesses with strong financial process discipline.”

Richard J. Kramer, president of the North American Tire business, said, “I’m pleased to see Marc make the move into an operational leadership role that essentially will focus on strategy, internal operations and back office support allowing those closest to the market to concentrate on the customers.”

Audia, 37, joined Goodyear in December 2004 as assistant treasurer, capital markets. Immediately before taking on this role at Goodyear Audia was employed at Delphi Corporation, where he served in a variety of treasury and financial roles. Prior to Delphi, Audia spent time with General Motors, Merck and Ford Motor Company in a variety of finance positions.

Prior to becoming vice president and controller, Noechel, 40, had been chief financial officer of Goodyear’s South Pacific Tyre subsidiary in Australia, a position held since 2006. He began his career with Goodyear in 2004, serving as assistant controller at the company’s corporate headquarters. Prior to joining Goodyear, Noechel was vice president and controller for The Kmart Corporation, from 2001 through 2004. He also worked for DaimlerChrysler in various positions and for Price Waterhouse.

Before being named chief information officer in February, Connell, 59, had been vice president and controller for Goodyear since 2003. Prior to that, he spent 24 years in financial management positions with TRW Inc. Voorhees, 53, spent the past three years as vice president of finance after joining Goodyear from Eastman Kodak Company. In his 28 years with Kodak, Voorhees held various operational, financial and international positions.