Just two months shy of his 42nd anniversary with Firestone Industrial Products (FSIP), longtime employee and industry mainstay Don Foulke is retiring.
“In many ways, we have come to consider Don the captain of our ship. His knowledge and love of our company, our customers and the industrial products marketplace is remarkable,” says Mary Kay Bryja, division marketing manager, FSIP. “We are grateful for his expertise and energy and know that without doubt Don has helped make Firestone Industrial Products the great company it is today. We wish him the best in his retirement.”
Officially departing from his post as global industrial channel manager on Sept. 30, Foulke spent the bulk of his career focused on the company’s industrial business. He commenced his career with FSIP in 1972 when he was hired into the company as an applications engineer. And over the years, FSIP says he progressed through the business in various roles including Ride-Rite product manager, manager of distributor sales, global industrial sales and marketing manager, manager of the Asia Pacific operations, and manager of North American industrial sales. Foulke was instrumental in the development of FSIP’s Ride-Rite business, as well as the company’s operations in China.
Of all his efforts, Foulke says he is most fond of his work in establishing a strong FSIP operation in Beijing.
“I am proud to have been part of the team that helped establish our China operations and manage it through its teething period. During the nine years I worked on the endeavor, I had the great privilege of being involved in every aspect of that business. I feel privileged to have had this opportunity and will look back on it with fond memories,” he says.
During his four decades with FSIP, Foulke helped the company manage air spring endeavors the world over. Impressively, Foulke has visited 18 percent of the world’s countries during his tenure and traveled nearly 3 million miles—or more than 12 trips to the moon. An avid woodworker for years, FSIP says Foulke is looking forward to spending more time close to home, crafting furniture in his workshop and spending time with family.
