AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) today announced the appointment of John T. Lucas as the company's new senior vice president and chief human resources officer, effective February 2, 2015. Lucas will succeed Joseph B. Ruocco who announced his retirement last year. 

Lucas joins Goodyear with more than 30 years of human resources leadership experience, the past six years at Lockheed Martin Corporation where he served as senior vice president of human resources for the global security and aerospace company since 2010. Under his leadership, Lockheed Martin was ranked among Fortune magazine's top 50 companies "Most Admired for HR," an exclusive ranking based on leading HR practices.

"John is a seasoned human resources executive and brings to Goodyear a wealth of leadership experience and achievement across a range of global industries," said Goodyear Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard J. Kramer. "John will play a key role on our senior leadership team, helping set strategic direction including our focus on building top talent and teams."

Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Lucas spent six years at Microsoft Corporation. Initially, he led human resources for the mobile and embedded devices division before moving to Microsoft's business division, the company's largest and most profitable operating segment. Earlier in his career, Lucas held executive HR positions of increasing responsibility at Eastman Kodak Company, ConAgra Foods Inc. and Merck & Company.

A Pittsburgh native, Lucas earned his undergraduate degree in economics from Washington & Jefferson College and his master's degree in labor and industrial relations from St. Francis University. 

Lucas succeeds Ruocco who has served as Goodyear's chief human resources officer for the past six-and-a-half years. During his tenure, Ruocco and his HR team designed and implemented a comprehensive global talent management and leadership development process that was recently recognized on Aon Hewitt's list of Top Companies for Leaders. In 2011, Ruocco was named a Fellow by the National Academy of Human Resources, the highest individual honor in the human resources field. Upon his retirement from Goodyear, Ruocco will engage in human resources consulting and other roles in the business community.

"We thank Joe for his leadership and substantial contributions to Goodyear's business success and extend to him best wishes in his new endeavors," said Kramer.

Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs approximately 68,000 people and manufactures its products in 50 facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear or its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate. 

Media Website: www.GoodyearNewsRoom.com  

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SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company