CHARLOTTE, NC: Kevin Ramundo, VP of corporate communications at
Goodrich, is leaving the company at the end of November because of what
he sees as a changing commitment to communications at the company.
"It's going to be a very different function going forward," Ramundo
said, noting his department is being cut from six people to three, and
his VP slot will not be filled after he leaves.
Stephen Huggins, SVP of strategic resources and information technology,
said the moves reflect the difficult climate for aerospace companies,
and the sagging economy. While Goodrich was once a major tire maker,
today about 85% of its business is in aerospace, and it no longer makes
tires.
"We have taken cost out of the organization," said Huggins. Goodrich
recently reported 2,300 layoffs out of its total workforce of
24,000.
Regarding communications, which will now report to him, Huggins said, "I
think we still have the same job to do."
Ramundo became aware a year ago that he disagreed with senior management
on future communications needs: "There was a significant gap between the
things I'd like to do strategically and how senior management thought
about those strategic things," he said.
Ramundo joined Goodrich in 1999 after it bought his former employer,
Coltech. He has since led a corporate rebranding campaign, trying to
separate Goodrich from its tire image.
Ramundo said he seeks another VP or SVP comms spot, but he's also
considering starting his own Charlotte-based agency.
