LONG-SERVING MAZDA PR CHIEF JAY AMESTOY SET TO RETIRE

- 40-year Industry Veteran Shifts into Advisory Role with Mazda -

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Dec 21, 2012, 06:00 ET

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced the retirement of its longtime PR chief, Jay Amestoy, effective January 1, 2013. Amestoy will continue working for MNAO in an advisory role reporting to the president and CEO, Jim O'Sullivan.

"Mazda has been honored to have Jay Amestoy at the helm of our public relations and motorsports efforts for more than two decades," said Jim O'Sullivan, president & CEO, MNAO. "Jay has not only been an advocate for the Mazda brand, but has been instrumental in building it up to what it stands for today. We congratulate him on what has been, and will continue to be, a wonderful career."

As vice president, public affairs and motorsports, Amestoy led MNAO's public relations efforts for nearly 22 years making him the longest-serving corporate officer of MNAO. Since joining Mazda in 1991, Amestoy has built today's reputation of the Mazda brand with media, dealers, government officials and the general public.

Throughout the course of his career, Amestoy has amounted more than 40 years in the automotive industry. In doing so, he has developed an outstanding reputation and is recognized industry-wide for his strong and ethical relations with the nation's automotive, enthusiast and business media. It is for these reasons that Amestoy will remain on as an advisor to MNAO.

MNAO's future PR efforts will be under the guidance of Jeremy Barnes, director of public relations and brand experience, while motorsports activities will be driven by John Doonan, director of motorsports.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through more than 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

SOURCE Mazda North American Operations