Michelin’s Garcin takes over as USTMA chairman

At the first meeting of the industry organisation’s 2024 fiscal year, the Board of Directors of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) elected Michelin’s Alexis Garcin to the role of Chairman. Garcin, who is president and chief executive officer of Michelin North America, began his two-year chairmanship on 11 October, succeeding Bridgestone’s Paolo Ferrari, who had served as USTMA’s Board chair since 2021.

“Alexis brings decades of global leadership experience to the helm of the US tyre manufacturing industry at a significant turning point for both tyre safety and environmental sustainability,” states Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA president and chief executive officer. “His work will build on the strong contributions of our outgoing chair, Paolo Ferrari, who saw USTMA through a critical post-Covid recovery and championed major new, innovative approaches to our industry’s joint efforts to develop more sustainable products.”

Garcin joined Michelin in 2002 and became chairman and president of Michelin North America in 2019. Previously, he served in numerous roles in France, Switzerland, Germany and now in the US “I am very honoured to serve as chairman of the USTMA board at a time of transformation in the tyre industry,” says Garcin. “Since joining the board four years ago, I have witnessed firsthand how the USTMA is driving progress toward a safe, sustainable and innovative tyre industry, and I look forward to continuing this journey with my fellow USTMA leaders.”

Two new BoD members

USTMA has also elected two new members to its Board of Directors: David K. Chapman of Michelin North America and James Tsai of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas.

Chapman is currently vice president of Public Affairs for Michelin North America, overseeing public policy efforts in both the US and Canada. He previously ran Michelin’s government and defence sales business. Chapman joined Michelin after a distinguished 30-year career in the US Army, where he held leadership roles throughout his service, including command of the Defense Language Institute’s Foreign Language Center in Monterrey, California.

Tsai is general counsel and secretary of Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc. (TTHA), the holding company for the North American operations of Toyo Tire Corporation of Itami, Japan. Tsai has served in his current role since 2016 and joined the TTHA legal department in 2011. Prior to joining TTHA, he worked in private practice for 15 years specialising in corporate law. He is a member of the bar in Illinois, California and Washington, D.C.