Bridgestone Americas Inc. named Stefano Mezzabotta as chief information officer (CIO) for Bridgestone Americas. Stefano will be based in Nashville and will report to Bill Thompson, chief operating officer, Bridgestone Americas.

In this role, Mezzabotta will be responsible for leading and overseeing the vision, strategy and operations of the Bridgestone Americas Information Technology (BSA IT) department throughout North and South America. He will provide strategic IT leadership and direction for all Bridgestone Americas business units and functions and deliver technology solutions that help power our businesses and drive innovation and operational excellence throughout the organization. Rob Olds, who has served as acting CIO since October 2016, will return to his role as executive director of IT business strategy and governance for Bridgestone Americas.

“Stefano and his team will play a fundamental role in continuing to grow our brands and businesses in a world of rapidly changing technology,” said Thompson. “His global perspective, leadership and vision will be critical in helping us achieve our goal of becoming a truly global company, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Bridgestone Americas.”

Mezzabotta is a global technology executive with nearly 30 years of experience. He joins Bridgestone most recently from Procter & Gamble, where he served as director, global business units – Global Shared Services and Information Technology, leading IT and shared services for four global business sectors across 17 different product categories. Prior to his move to the U.S. in 2007, Stefano had been the CIO for Procter & Gamble Western Europe, based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Mezzabotta earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Ancona, Italy. In addition, he was a member of the Naval Academy in Livorno, Italy, where he served as a Navy officer.