Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Joins U.S. Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program

FINDLAY, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and the U.S. Army today held a signing ceremony to mark Cooper's commitment to the Army's Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) program. PaYS is a national program that provides America's youth with the opportunity to serve their country while they prepare for their future following military service.

Under the program, Cooper has committed to providing job interviews and potential employment to Soldiers who select Cooper during the enlistment process from more than 500 organizations participating in the PaYS program. Following completion of their military service, Cooper commits to interviewing the Soldiers for jobs with the company. In addition, Cooper has the option of working with the Army to see that Soldiers who select Cooper at enlistment receive specific training during their service that is relevant to future employment at Cooper.

Cooper Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Roy Armes joined Captain Jonathan Ogden, Commander of the Marion, Ohio, Recruiting Company, and Lieutenant Colonel Scott Bartley, Battalion Commander, Cleveland Recruiting Battalion, for the signing ceremony. The event was held Feb. 5 at the Cooper Technical Center adjacent to the Cooper corporate headquarters in Findlay, Ohio.

"Veterans make up about 7 percent of the total U.S. workforce at Cooper," Armes said. "That's a good number, yet we can do better and increase the number of veterans we employ. Veterans often possess the kind of skills, leadership and commitment that we are looking for at Cooper, and we are engaging with them in multiple ways to make job connections. The PaYS program is one important way to make these connections and Cooper is proud to be a part of the program."

"Cooper is the 504th organization to sign on with PaYS," said Lieutenant Colonel Bartley. "The Army wants to take civilians, provide them with training and job experience, and bring them back to their communities as responsible, productive citizens with marketable skills. We are pleased to have a connection with Cooper as we expect many Soldiers to have an interest in working for one of just two tire companies that are headquartered in the United States. Cooper is a well-known and respected brand, and we are excited about the opportunities that may open up to veterans who select Cooper as they enlist in the Army. We thank Cooper for making a commitment to engage with our veterans through PaYS," he added.

About PaYS

The Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program is a strategic partnership between the US Army and a cross section of corporations, companies, and public sector agencies. The Program provides America's youth with an opportunity to serve their country while they prepare for their future. PaYS Partners guarantee Soldiers an interview and possible employment after the Army. This unique Program is part of the Army's effort to partner with America's business community and reconnect America with its Army.

The PaYS Program began in 2000 as an enlistment incentive for Regular Army enlisted Soldiers. In October 2002, the Program expanded to include Army Reserve Soldiers. The Program later expanded to include Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Reserve Component Cadets and ROTC Cadets who incur an active duty commitment.

About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company CTB is the parent company of a global family of companies that specialize in the design, manufacture, marketing and sale of passenger car and light truck tires. Cooper and its subsidiaries also sell medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. Cooper's headquarters is in Findlay, Ohio, with manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 11 countries around the world. For more information on Cooper, visit www.coopertire.com, www.facebook.com/coopertire or www.twitter.com/coopertire.