Cara Krstolic was appointed as Executive Director of Race Tire Engineering and Production in October 2019. Previously, she was Firestone Racing’s Chief Engineer and Manager of Race Tire Development. Krstolic has more than 18 years of racing experience after joining the Race Tire Engineering team at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) in 2007. She has developed tires for road/street curses and the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, and currently, Krstolic is responsible for overseeing all design, development, manufacturing, and track-side support of Firestone race tires, and heads a talented group that design and builds tires for some of the most demanding driving situations imaginable. She also leads the team that built and started up the first tire manufacturing plant in Akron since WWII.

Krstolic’s tenure with BATO began in May 2003 as an engineer in the Tire/ Vehicle Dynamics department.

In addition to her work at BATO, Krstolic also serves on the boards of several community organizations. She is the on the boards of the Akron Urban League, Akron section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Akron Council of Engineering and Scientific Services, and Akron Council of Engineering and Scientific Services. She is also on the STEM advisory council for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. Cara is a frequent speaker at local schools and universities, encouraging students to pursue careers in math and science, and is a science fair judge at Akron district and regional fairs.

She has been recognized for her work in the community having received the Greater Akron Chamber’s ‘30 for the Future’ Award, the Akron Women of Professional Excellence Award, and the United Way ‘Volunteers who Inspire by Example’ award. Most recently, she was selected to be in the Inaugural Akron Urban League’s Academy of Leaders.

Cara graduated from the University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. International travel with Bridgestone has also provided her with an opportunity to learn Japanese and Portuguese. An avid triathlete, Krstolic has competed in Ironman 70.3-mile races, and has trained and auditioned for American Ninja Warrior. Cara loves music and plays several instruments, including flute, piano, guitar, and other wind instruments.