GCR Tires & Service Announces New Director of Marketing and Merchandising

Bridgestone Americas has announced Taylor Vernier has joined the company as director of marketing and merchandising for the GCR Tires & Service (GCR) business. In this role, Vernier will lead all marketing activities for the commercial tire and service network, overseeing advertising, promotion and digital activities. The role previously was held by Jon Kimpel, who accepted a research and development position working with the Bridgestone Americas Technical Center earlier this year.

“Taylor has a proven track record of implementing effective marketing strategies across multiple sales channels,” said Philip Dobbs, chief marketing officer, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “His customer-centric approach will ensure GCR continues to fulfill its brand promise of delivering genuine, complete, reliable service to every customer, every time.”

Prior to joining Bridgestone, Vernier spent 10 years of his career at Russell Athletic, a Fruit of the Loom business, in various marketing and channel development roles, including serving as senior marketing manager for the Team Sports Division, senior director of marketing and most recently, senior director of product management. He began his career in marketing at Newell Rubbermaid and worked in sales and marketing roles at Clear Channel Broadcasting and Lifeguard Medical Solutions. Vernier received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University and earned his MBA at the University of Georgia.

With more than 150 stores and 1,500 service vehicles, GCR technicians meet the needs of fleet customers regardless of location — whether they are working long haul or local service. GCR offers an extensive portfolio of products for the trucking, agriculture, construction and mining industries.