Barton College Wilson Nc

Bridgestone Americas Announces Promotions

Jim Pridgen named President, Firestone Fibers & Textiles Company; Gary Williamson named new Wilson, N.C., Plant Manager

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Bridgestone Americas announced today two important promotions that are effective immediately. Jim Pridgen, a long-time North Carolinian and Plant Manager of the Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) Wilson, N.C., facility, has been named President, Firestone Fibers & Textiles Company, LLC (FSFT). He will be based at FSFT’s headquarters in Kings Mountain, N.C. Gary Williamson, formerly Operations Manager at the BATO Aiken County, S.C., facility, has been promoted and named the new Plant Manager at the Wilson facility. Williamson’s successor in the Operations Manager role will be announced at a later date.

“Jim has been an inspirational leader of the Wilson team and community as well as a long-time member of the Bridgestone Americas family,” said Barry Owens, Vice President, Manufacturing, BATO. “With more than 35 years of experience, Jim is bringing his commitment and results-oriented approach to his new role as President of Firestone Fibers & Textiles, and we wish him the best. We’re also looking forward to welcoming Gary to the Wilson team.”

Terry Reedy, Vice President, Procurement, Bridgestone Americas, FSFT’s parent company, said, “We’re pleased that Jim, whose North Carolina roots go very deep, has taken on this new challenge and will continue his work with the state’s elected officials and government agencies. We look forward to having him support Gary as he establishes his relationships within the Wilson community.”

Williamson’s 31 years of experience in a variety of tire manufacturing operations – the last five in Aiken County – ideally position him to take on his new role as Plant Manager of the Wilson facility.

“While we know Gary will be missed in Aiken County, we look forward to welcoming him to the Wilson team,” Owens said. “He brings a unique blend of both technical and leadership abilities that will be instrumental in addressing the complex challenges associated with the Wilson operation and recent capital investments.”

Pridgen brings a wide range of experience to his new position. After joining the team at the Wilson plant in 1974 as a Junior Accountant, he held positions of increasing responsibility, including Cost Accountant; Auditor; Purchasing Manager; Materials Manager; Section Manager; and Stock Prep and Area Production Manager. In 2000 Pridgen was promoted to Plant Manager, Oklahoma City, Okla., and in 2004 assumed his most recent role as Plant Manager, Wilson, N.C. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Atlantic Christian College and a Master of Business Administration in business management from Central Michigan University. Pridgen has been very active in the Wilson business community as well, serving in the following roles: Vice Chair of the Wilson Memorial Hospital Board; Vice Chair of the Wilson Community College Board of Trustees (he was appointed by Gov. Bev Perdue); Chair of the Upper Coastal Plain Learning Council; Board Member of the Boy Scouts of America; Trustee and Audit Chair of Barton College; and Member of the North Carolina State Chamber of Commerce; among other community activities.

Barton College News » Blog Archive » Terrence L. Grimes to Speak ...

WILSON, N.C. —Dr. Terrence L. Grimes will be the featured speaker at the inaugural Master of Education commencement exercises of Barton College scheduled for Friday evening, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. in Hardy Alumni Hall. Dr. Norval C. Kneten will preside over the commencement program as president of Barton College. Dr. Jackie Ennis, dean of the School of Education, will present the first graduating cohort of 22 teacher-scholars who will be awarded the Master of Education degree with a specialization in Elementary Education.

The Master of Education degree candidates include: Nicole F. Allen of Rocky Mount, Kimberlé E. J. Aycock of Fremont, Magan Jenkins Bissette of Nashville, Kari Michelle Colonna of Reed City, Mich., Erin Leigh Corbett of Wilson, Karen M. Covey of Garner, Leanne Rose Lee Crusenberry of Rocky Mount, Peter Jonathan Damroth of Wilson, Terry Proctor Fenwick of Goldsboro, Andrea Leigh Flye of Wilson, Bonnie Jean Grotheer of Smithfield, Janie S. Hall of Wilson, Jennifer Glover Jenkins of Elm City, Drucilla Lucas Lamm of Wilson, Bridget Overman Mozingo of Selma, Kimberly M. Powell of Clayton, Alicia Nicole Richardson of Nashville, Jennifer Leigh Sanders of Spring Hope, Elizabeth Brooke Page Sloop of Bailey, Jessica Lynn Taborsky of Garden City Park, N.Y., Elizabeth Lee Viverette of Rocky Mount, and I. Gaynell Williams of Wilson.

The candidates completed 24 of the program’s 36 credit hours during summer sessions over a period of two summers. The remaining 12 hours of the program were completed through the College’s online course for the program – two courses during fall semester and two additional courses during spring semester.

Barton College began its Master of Education Degree in Elementary Education Program in summer 2010.  The second cohort for the program began this past June.

About the speaker —

Dr. Grimes serves as senior advisor to the Degree Qualifications Profile (DQP) project funded by a grant from the Lumina Foundation and administered by the Council of Independent Colleges, a 601-member organization serving the needs of small to mid-sized private colleges and universities. The DQP will explore the possibilities of creating systems that will demonstrate the quality of academic programs, using student learning outcome data as evidence.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Grimes served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Barton College from 2004 until his recent retirement on June 30, 2011. In this senior administrative role, Dr. Grimes oversaw the administration of the academic programs of the College, and worked closely with the deans of the five academic schools: Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Nursing, and Social Work, as well as supervising the director of the library, the director of student success, the dean of accelerated professional programs, and the registrar. He also served as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, supervising the administration of seven academic departments including art, communication and performing arts, English and modern languages, history and social sciences, physical education and sport studies, religion and philosophy, and science and mathematics.

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