BOWIE, Md. – The Tire Industry Association (TIA) board elected Bridgestone Americas Inc. executive Debra Hamlin to secretary, June 24, during its summer board meeting in Orlando, Fla.
A TIA board member for the past four years, Hamlin serves the Nashville, Tenn.-based tire maker as director of environment, health, safety and sustainability – Commercial Tire Division.
Her election places her in line to become the association’s president in 2024-2025.
She currently chairs TIA’s Environmental Advisory Council and serves on the Training & Education and Strategic Planning committees and the newly formed Electric Vehicle Advisory Council.
“I am both humbled by and excited for the opportunity to work with the talented TIA board members, industry leaders and staff to continue to find ways to adapt to the evolving tire and transportation industry,” Hamlin said.
A 25-year employee of Bridgestone, Hamlin began her career with the company in 1997 as an environmental project manager in the retail division. She was named environmental compliance manager for the division in 2005 and became the division’s environmental manager in 2015. She was appointed to her current position as director of environment, health, safety and sustainability for the commercial tire business in 2018.
At Bridgestone, Hamlin is known as a dedicated leader of environment, health, safety and sustainability, an influential communicator and coach, and an ambassador of change. As EHSS director – commercial division, she ensures that the company’s EHSS strategies align with overall business needs to minimize risks and incidents.
Hamlin said she is most proud of working with a cross functional team to develop the Tires4Ward Program, which was launched in 2012 and founded on the vision of achieving a waste-free tire industry. The program’s goal is to ensure that for every tire Bridgestone sells in the U.S., one spent tire – or any tire that has been taken out of use – goes on to another valuable purpose.
“TIA is thrilled with the election of Debra Hamlin as secretary of the association,” TIA CEO Richard “Dick” Gust said. “She is a talented executive who has a keen understanding of TIA’s training programs, benefit offerings and opportunities from her experience as a board member. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the leadership team, especially in the environmental, sustainability and safety areas. I look forward to working with her as we strive to meet the needs of our current and prospective members.”
Hamlin will begin her year as secretary in November and will move through the various officer positions until she becomes TIA president.