Pessi named CEO of Pirelli Tire North America

ERJ staff report (TB)

Rpme. Georgia -- Pirelli Tyre SpA has re-hired 42-year-old Mauro Pessi, a Pirelli veteran who left the company in 2008, to be CEO of Pirelli Tire North America Inc. (PTNA), effective Oct. 1.

Pessi will take over the chairmanship from Hugh Pace, who's been chairman and CEO for the past two years. Pace, 58, will continue as chairman of Rome-based PTNA through year-end.

Pessi returns to Pirelli after leaving the Italian tyre maker in June 2008 to be CEO of Italian brake systems maker Brembo SpA. He resigned his positions with Brembo Aug. 31, citing “differences in ideas” regarding the firm's organisational structure.

He joined PTNA in 1991, serving as vice president of marketing 1998-2000, and as sales and marketing director worldwide from 2001 until 2006.

Prior to his positions with Brembo, Mr. Pessi held a number of posts with Pirelli's Latin American operations, including vice president sales and marketing and CEO. He graduated from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, where he studied business administration.

Mr. Pace was an executive with Goodyear for 30 years, including six years as head of the Asia Pacific business prior to retiring in 2004. He was hired by Pirelli in June 2007.

From Tire Business Rubber & Plastics News Automotive News (A Crain publication)