Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors Head to Capitol Hill to Meet with Lawmakers

Business leaders from the tire manufacturing industry called “Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors” are set to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill as a part of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association’s (USTMA) third annual advocacy initiative. The program brings employees from USTMA member companies to Washington, D.C. to discuss key issues affecting the tire manufacturing industry, including trade and sustainability and to highlight the industry’s economic contributions. This year, the group will also make a recruitment push to expand membership of the newly formed Congressional Tire Caucus.

The Ambassadors are selected by USTMA member companies as representatives who embody the industry’s commitment to safety and innovation and demonstrate superior leadership, passion and service.

“Decisions made by our nation’s policymakers directly impact not just the business environment and facilities of our member companies, but also livelihood of their workforce and communities,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA President and CEO. “Our Ambassadors have a unique perspective to share with members of Congress and this is an opportunity to put a face on this important industry that contributes so much to our nation’s economy.”

The Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors and USTMA staff will meet with about 25 congressional offices from states with a strong tire manufacturing presence. The Ambassadors plan to discuss the contributions tire manufacturing facilities bring to the national and local economy, including more than 737,000 jobs in the U.S. and another 284,000 jobs through manufacturing, distribution and retailing, and 450,000 additional U.S. jobs in supplier and induced activities.

They will also encourage members to join the Congressional Tire Caucus, which was created last month by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), both of whom have a significant tire industry presence in their districts and states. The U.S. tire manufacturing industry contributes nearly $150 billion in economic output and pays $21 billion in state, federal and local taxes.

2019 USTMA Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors:

• Jennie Baldwin
  Michelin North America, Inc.
  Global Trade Compliance
• Wesley Billups
  The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
  Components Prep TTL
• Dwight Hansen
  Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc.
  Sr. Technical Customer Service
• Bryan Lawson
  Yokohama Tire Corporation
  Tire Building Division Manager
• Queenie Edwards Miller
  Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
  Industrial Engineer
• Alexander Stojanovski
  Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Inc.
  Continuous Improvement Specialist
• Nelson Beato
  Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc.
  (Corporate Headquarters Location)
• Johnny Densmore
  Pirelli Tire North America Inc.
  Finishing Coordinator
• Jay Johnson
  Continental Tire the Americas, LLC
  Logistics Technology Lead
• Jared Lofland
  Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
  Area Business Manager, DSM - Curing
• Tony Quarles
  Giti Tire (USA), Ltd.
  Senior Tire Engineer