Cooper appoints new Board member

Cooper Tire & Rubber has appointed Cynthia A. Niekamp to the company’s Board of Directors. Niekamp is senior vice-president of PPG Industries’ automotive OEM coatings business, a position she has held since 2010. She joined PPG in 2009 as vice-president of the automotive OEM coatings business.

Niekamp served as vice-president, president and general manager of BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems from 2004 to 2008. Prior to joining BorgWarner, she served as senior vice-president and chief financial officer of MeadWestvaco Corporation. During her nine years with Mead and Westvaco, Niekamp held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility in the company’s specialty business units, including the Specialty Paper Division and the Specialty Chemicals Division.

From 1990 to 1995, she served as managing director, director of operations, and vice-president and director of planning and business development for TRW’s Transportation Systems business unit, Technar subsidiary, and Engine and Aftermarket Group, respectively. From 1978 to 1990, she held various management and engineering roles with General Motors. Niekamp earned a B.S. degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Harvard University.

“Cindy brings tremendous experience and knowledge to our company. Her understanding of the manufacturing industry, from plant floor experience to long-range strategic planning in global businesses makes her a valuable addition to Cooper’s board of directors,” said Roy Armes, Cooper’s chairman, president and CEO. “We look forward to her contributions as a key member of our team.”