Goodyear has announced that, following a career spanning four decades at the company, Jon Bellissimo is to retire. His position as senior vice president of global operations and chief technology officer will be assumed by Christopher Helsel.
Helsel joined Goodyear in 1996 after graduating from Cleveland State University with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, and from the University of Akron with a master’s degree in the same subject.
Now 55, he has held his current role as senior vice president and chief technology officer since 2017. Helsel previously worked in leadership roles such as director of technology programs at Goodyear’s Luxembourg Innovation Center, and also as director of North America commercial and global off-highway technology.
In his newly appointed position, Helsel will lead development of technology and innovation, with a focus on the company’s ever-growing area of new mobility.
Richard Kramer, chairman, CEO and president of Goodyear, commented, “Chris Helsel’s broad range of experience leading product innovation, technology and product industrialization makes him ideal to lead Goodyear’s Global Operations and Technology organization. In addition, his willingness to promote new thinking and challenge the status quo will serve our technology and manufacturing efforts well as we take Goodyear into the next stage of leadership in a hyper-competitive industry.
“At the same time, we deeply appreciate Jon’s vast contributions and leadership at Goodyear during his 43-year career. We all owe Jon a debt of gratitude for his relentless pursuit of quality, safety and results throughout his service to our company.”
