Thomas Giapponi

Thomas Giapponi received his B.S.E. from Purdue University in 1976. He is a registered Professional Engineer (Connecticut) with more than 30 years of experience in the tire industry. Mr. Giapponi’s professional career spans the Armstrong Rubber Company and Pirelli Tire North America in the capacities of Tire Design Engineer; Manager of Medium/Heavy Truck Tires; Manager of Light Truck and Passenger Car Tire Engineering; Director of Tire Engineering; and Director of Tire Testing. At Pirelli’s tire manufacturing plant in Hanford, California, Mr. Giapponi directed Pirelli’s North American research and development and quality as the Director of R&D, Technical Director, and the Director of Quality in the market, respectively. In 2001, Mr. Giapponi started TRGtech Tire Consulting LLC (www.tireconsultant. corn). The company performs tire forensic investigations and tire patent defense, in addition to tire and tire forensic analysis training and consulting. Mr. Giapponi also is a member of SAE International and the Tire Society, and he is Past President of the Tire and Rim Association.