Michelin North America Chairman Richard Wilkerson to Retire, Pete Selleck Appointed to Succeed

CLERMONT-FERRAND, France and GREENVILLE, S.C., June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Michelin North America Chairman and President Richard "Dick" Wilkerson will retire from his role by the end of this year, the Michelin Group announced today.  Wilkerson will become chairman emeritus of Michelin North America upon his retirement.

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"Dick has demonstrated exemplary leadership throughout his career at Michelin," said Jean-Dominique Senard, managing general partner of the Michelin Group.  "Most recently, he helped guide Michelin North America to record results in spite of the economic recession. Michelin North America is emerging from this extremely difficult time even stronger than before and with the satisfaction of knowing that no employee lost a job at Michelin because of the economy. To recognize his contribution, we are naming Dick to the newly created role of chairman emeritus of Michelin North America upon his retirement."

Wilkerson, a 31-year veteran of the company, has been in his current role since August 2008. During his tenure as chairman and president, Michelin North America became the largest tire maker in North America by sales and has remained the most profitable tire maker in North America for seven consecutive years.  

Wilkerson also led the creation of major community programs, including Michelin Development in East Alabama and Upstate South Carolina and Michelin Challenge Education.  

Wilkerson said, "My decision to retire as chairman was one of the most difficult of my career because of my abiding respect for the men and women of Michelin and the values that guide our company.  It has been an honor to serve the company, and I am proud of everything we accomplished together. However, the time has come to begin a new chapter, one that will allow me to more fully engage in service to the communities in which we live and work."

Pete Selleck, currently president of Michelin Truck Tires worldwide, will return to Greenville, S.C., from Michelin's global headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France, to succeed him.

Selleck, 55, has been with Michelin for 29 years.  He has served as president of Michelin's global Truck Tire business since January 2006. In this role, Selleck implemented the Michelin Durable Technologies innovation program, including the rollout of the X-One tires in North America. Additionally, truck tire plants in Europe and North America were modernized, while major capacity expansions in China, India and Brazil were launched.

Prior to this assignment, Selleck led the company's passenger and light truck replacement tire division for Europe. His last assignment in North America was as the COO of Michelin Americas Small Tires from 1996 to 2003.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin-us.com) has more than 21,400 people and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.

SOURCE Michelin