Karbowiak Appointed BSAM Chief Administrative Officer

Christine Karbowiak, who currently serves in the role of executive vice president, Community and Corporate Relations and member of the Board of Directors at Bridgestone Americas (BSAM), has been appointed to the newly created position of BSAM chief administrative officer, effective April 1, 2010. In addition to her current Community and Corporate Relations’ responsibilities, which includes government, media and community relations as well as internal communications and overall brand oversight for the companies under the BSAM umbrella, Karbowiak will also be responsible for roles related to Environmental Affairs, Internal Audit, Safety and Industrial Hygiene, and Corporate Security.

“Christine is a proven and trusted performer at Bridgestone Americas,” said BSAM CEO and president Gary Garfield.  “With her strategic vision, creativity and excellent problem solving skills I am very confident that she is the right leader to manage these important functions for Bridgestone Americas.”

Karbowiak joined the company’s Retail Operations as senior counsel in June 1992 and advanced to the position of assistant general counsel one year later. Early in 1997, Karbowiak took on the role of division general counsel for the company’s corporate and international operations, a position she held for 21 months before assuming her role as vice president of Public Affairs. On January 1, 2009, she became a member of the Bridgestone Americas Board of Directors, in doing so becoming the first woman to serve on the Board of a major Bridgestone Group company.  In 2009, Karbowiak was also named executive vice president of Community and Corporate Relations. Karbowiak also serves on the board of Bridgestone Brands, LLC.