AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT) today announced that Stephen McClellan and Joe Copeland have been named to new leadership assignments within the company's North American Tire business.

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McClellan, formerly vice president of Commercial Tire Systems, has been named president of the North American Tire Consumer business, replacing Lawrence Mason, who has announced he will leave the company. Copeland, previously vice president of the Off-Highway businesses, becomes vice president of Commercial Tire Systems, replacing McClellan. A replacement for Copeland will be named at a later date.

'Steve and Joe are two proven leaders who have demonstrated the strategic, operational and team building success that will have an immediate impact in their new assignments,' said Richard J. Kramer, president of North American Tire. 'They have a track record of exceptional performance at every level and are well positioned to help lead our businesses into the future.'

McClellan, 42, has spent his entire career at Goodyear since joining the company in 1988. Most of his experience has been in a variety of management roles within the consumer tire business, including finance, sales and distribution. In December 2001, he moved into the commercial tire business, serving as president of Wingfoot Commercial Tire Systems, Goodyear's industry-leading national network of commercial tire sales, retreading and service. He was promoted to vice president, Commercial Tire Systems in September 2003.

'Steve drove the development of our winning 'cradle-to-grave' business model that focuses on responding to customer needs throughout the product and service lifecycle,' Kramer said. 'This strategy is now the model in the industry. More importantly, Steve's focus on listening to customers and providing impactful business solutions will be ideal in his new consumer role.'

Copeland, 47, has a broad base of experience both outside and inside of Goodyear. He holds degrees from Baylor University (accounting and law) and an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago. He came to Goodyear in August 2000 having worked in various capacities at Ford Motor Company and Intel Corporation.