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USTMA “Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors” Take to Capitol Hill

June 26, 2018

Tire Manufacturer Employees Bring Industry Insights and Perspectives to Policymakers

Twelve “Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors” today met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill as a part of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association’s (USTMA) second annual advocacy initiative. The program brings employees from USTMA member companies to Washington, D.C. to discuss key issues affecting the tire manufacturing industry and to highlight the industry’s economic contributions.

Each USTMA member company selected a representative who embodies the industry’s commitment to safety and demonstrates superior leadership, passion and service.

“We are proud to partner with our Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors to represent our industry’s issues in Congress,” said Anne Forristall Luke, USTMA President and CEO. “Our Ambassadors and the facilities in which they work are impacted by the decisions of our nation’s policymakers and maintain a unique perspective that needs to be heard by members of Congress.”

The Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors and USTMA staff met with a dozen congressional offices from states with a strong tire manufacturing presence. The Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors discussed 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. In addition, they also discussed the recent 232 tariffs imposed on steel imports citing potential negative implications on the tire manufacturing industry and the U.S. economy.

The U.S. tire manufacturing industry contributes nearly $150 billion in economic output and pays $21 billion in state, federal and local taxes.

The 2018 USTMA Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors are:

  • FRANCES ELLIS-LYNCH
    Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
    Quality Assurance Officer
    Wilson, North Carolina
  • LUKE SCHROEDER
    Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
    Engineering Manager
    Findlay, Ohio
  • ANTHONY JACKSON
    The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Technical Leader
    Fayetteville, North Carolina
  • BINH DANG
    Kumho Tire U.S.A., Inc.
    Inside Sales Manager
    Atlanta, Georgia
  • SARAH SANDIDGE
    Pirelli Tire North America
    Account Manager
    Rome, Georgia
  • CHRISTOPHER MAJOR
    Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas Inc.
    Group Leader - Technical Mold Group
    White, Georgia
  • LARSEN CLINE
    Continental Tire the Americas, LLC
    Executive Assistant to Plant Manager
    Sumter, South Carolina
  • ASHLEY STEWART
    Giti Tire (USA) Ltd.
    Market Research Analyst
    Fort Mill, South Carolina
  • WES BOLING
    Hankook Tire America Corp.
    Public Affairs Manager
    Nashville, Tennessee
  • JACKIE BRANSCOMB
    Michelin North America, Inc.
    Tire Performance Engineer
    Greenville, South Carolina
  • NICHOLAS KREUTER
    Sumitomo Rubber Industries
    Industrial Engineer
    Buffalo, New York
  • CHRISTIAN YATES
    Yokohama Tire Corporation
    Senior Environmental Specialist
    Salem, Virginia

About USTMA

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for tire manufacturers that produce tires in the U.S. Our 11 member companies operate 56 tire-related manufacturing facilities in 16 states. U.S. tire manufacturing has an annual economic footprint of $170.6 billion and is responsible for more than 291,000 U.S. jobs in manufacturing, distribution and retailing. The industry supports more than 510,000 additional U.S. jobs in supplier and induced activities, totaling more than 801,000 jobs nationwide. USTMA advances a sustainable tire manufacturing industry through thought leadership and a commitment to science based public policy advocacy. Our member company tires make mobility possible. USTMA members are committed to continuous improvement of the performance of our products, worker and consumer safety and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.USTires.org and follow us on Twitter @USTires.