Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has appointed Chris Ripani as president of its on-highway preventative maintenance and tire service provider, Speedco.

Ripani succeeds Scott Damon, who was recently named president of Firestone Industrial Products. He will lead implementation of a newly formed growth strategy for Speedco, according to Bridgestone. 

“Chris has proven himself as a dynamic leader in the commercial business,” said Kurt Danielson, president, U.S. & Canada commercial tire sales. “He has the knowledge and leadership skills that will help take the Speedco business to the next level and his leadership will further drive growth for the commercial division of Bridgestone.”

Ripani has been with Bridgestone since 2001, holding several positions in marketing and sales including his most recent role as the executive director of marketing for Bridgestone Commercial Stores Division. Prior to Bridgestone, Ripani worked with CarMax, Sears Tire Group and Falken Tire Corporation.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Columbia College in Chicago, Ill., and has completed leadership and strategy programs at University of Phoenix, Vanderbilt University and Harvard University.

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