April 2, 2007

Nova Southeastern University Hosts Distinguished Lecture Series
Mark A Emkes, Chair/CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. to Speak on April 26

Fort Lauderdale-Davie, FL -- Nova Southeastern University’s H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business & Entrepreneurship will host Mark A. Emkes, Chair/CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., and CEO of Bridgestone Firestone N.A. Tire, LLC for the Distinguished Lecture Series on Thursday, April 26.  Emkes will speak on, “Gaining Traction in a Global Economy,” at 10:30 a.m., in the Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Lecture Hall on NSU’s main campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Emkes, who holds a B.A. degree in Economics and a MBA degree in International Management,  began his career at the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in 1976 as an International Trainee. Following his first job changing tires at a Firestone store near Houston, Texas he was promoted to store manager in 1977. 

From 1979 to 2000, Emkes’ career at Firestone took him overseas.  He held various management positions in the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Brazil and Mexico. From field export representative in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to president and managing director, Bridgestone Firestone Brazil in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Emkes successfully conquered new challenges as he took on positions of increasing responsibility.

Emkes was promoted to executive vice president of Bridgestone Firestone, Inc. and elected to a seat on its board of directors in 1999, while concurrently holding the title of President of Bridgestone Firestone Brazil. He returned to the United States in 2000 and was named president of Bridgestone Firestone Latin American Operations.

In 2002, he became Chairman, CEO and President of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC. He served concurrently as a member of the board of directors of Bridgestone Americas, and in 2004, was promoted to Chairman and CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., as well as being elected as a member of the Board of Directors of Tokyo-based Bridgestone Corporation.

For more information about the Distinguished Lecture Series or to RSVP, contact Lynn Schweitzer at 954-262-5065 or lschweit@nsu.nova.edu.