AKRON, Ohio , Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As a further reflection of its decades of military support, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NYSE: GT) has been recognized for its dedication to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces through its veteran hiring and support initiatives, and extensive fund-raising efforts.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050204/GTLOGO )

Goodyear announced today that it has been designated a 2013 Top 100 Military Friendly Employer by G.I. Jobs magazine, in recognition of the company's efforts to hire and support veteran employees. This marks the first year Goodyear has been included in the list, which was compiled from a data-driven survey sample of 5,000 companies whose annual revenues exceeded $500 million.

"Goodyear has a longstanding relationship with the United States military, and we're dedicated to providing a great workplace for the men and women who've proudly served our country," said Steve McClellan, President of Goodyear's North American Tire business. "It's a great honor to have our efforts recognized by G.I. Jobs, and to be named a Top 100 Military Friendly Employer."

Criteria for selection to the Top 100 list included the strength of company military recruiting efforts, the percentage of new hires with prior military service, retention programs, and company policies on National Guard and Reserve service.

Goodyear was recognized for its support of military veterans and National Guard and Reserve members, as well as its July 2012 commitment to hire 1,000 veterans over the next three years. The company's profile, including open positions that are a fit for military personnel, can be found on MilitaryFriendly.com.

G.I. Jobs will announce the complete 2013 list of Top 100 Military Friendly Employers on Friday, Nov. 9 from the deck of the USS Yorktown in Mt. Pleasant, SC—the scene of this year's second annual Carrier Classic college basketball game. One of Goodyear's iconic blimps, the Ohio-based Spirit of Goodyear, will be flying above the aircraft carrier during the announcement to provide aerial coverage of the event. 

The rest of Goodyear's blimp fleet will also support similar events over the weekend. The California-based Spirit of America will cover the "Battle on the Midway" game aboard the USS Midway in San Diego, Calif., while the Florida-based Spirit of Innovation will cover the Navy–Marine Corps
Classic played on the deck of the USS Bataan in Jacksonville, Fla. In addition to providing aerial coverage for each game, Goodyear will be offering blimp rides to military personnel.

As Veterans Day approaches, Goodyear was also recognized by the Support Our Troops organization for its support during the 2012 "Goodyear Gives Back" campaign—a fund-raising effort designed to generate awareness and support for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Over the course of this year's program, which ran through July and August, Goodyear raised more than $310,000 for Support Our Troops.

"For the past three years, Goodyear has played an integral role in our efforts to raise awareness and has generated more than $700,000 in donations to help impact the lives of U.S. Armed Forces and their families," said Martin C. Boire, executive director of Support Our Troops.  "We appreciate all that Goodyear has done to show its support for our service men and women."

Goodyear, the largest producer of military tires in the U.S., has a longstanding history with the U.S. Armed Forces, with more than 100 years of commitment to building innovative and reliable equipment to support and protect our troops. Goodyear's commitment extends beyond products and charitable donations; priding itself on hosting events at U.S. military bases throughout the year, hiring qualified veterans as part of its workforce, and bringing service men and women a chance to interact with race drivers and take rides on the Goodyear Blimp.

About Goodyear
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies.  It employs approximately 72,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 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 .

SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company