Firestone and Liberia –
Faces of Firestone
Lyndon G. Mabande, M.D.
Dr. Lyndon G. Mabande hopes to see Firestone Liberia's medical facilities return to their original site at Duside Hospital, the 300-bedroom facility outside of Harbel, Liberia was badly hit by the 14-year civil war that destroyed much of the infrastructure in the country.
"It is my desire to have a highly effective and efficient evidence-based health system at Firestone," said Dr. Mabande, who is the Chief Medical Officer at Firestone Liberia.
During some turbulent periods early in the civil conflict, Dr. Mabande volunteered his medical expertise by forming a team that provided free medical services at the Liberia Government Hospital in Trumansburg. He also provided voluntary services at Bong Mines Hospital and the Liberia Agricultural Company Hospital. On several occasions he traveled to the Republic of Sierra Leone to arrange with relief agencies to service thousands of citizens misplaced by the war.
Now that the conflict is over, Dr. Mabande is rededicating himself to primary health care and preventative services. As the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mabande, 50, coordinates all activities of Firestone Liberia's medical services, including: initiating professional and clinical policies and procedures and advising the company on policies affecting the health and welfare of employees, their dependents and the general public.
Dr. Mabande was educated at A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine where he completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology. He currently serves as the National President of the Family Planning Association of Liberia. He received a certificate of appreciation from the President of Liberia for participating in the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Transitional Team for Health and Social Welfare.
Ligori Musioh Sekajipo
Ligori Musioh Sekajipo hopes to be remembered for helping to rebuild his native country of Liberia after the 14-year civil war devastated this West African nation's infrastructure.
"I hope to leave a legacy of being the Construction Manager in whose time modern housing and schools were built," said Sekajipo.
His job as Engineering Construction Manager at Firestone Liberia has given him just that opportunity.
"I feel proud that Firestone Liberia is now responding to both the social and economic needs of employees," Sekajipo said. "Firestone Liberia has taken the lead in expansion, rebuilding, rehabilitation and replanting programs. Firestone Liberia can boast of being the single largest employer of Liberians other than the government."
Sekajipo started working at Firestone after graduating from college because of the job security the company offered. He also believes it is the only place where he can practice his profession. In his current position, Sekajipo supervises, trains and manages Superintendents in project management, design, cost estimates, the bidding process and construction.
Since 1984, Sekajipo has held several positions within the company, including Supervisor of Production Services, Quality Control Supervisor, Project Engineer, Building Maintenance Superintendent and Engineering Construction Manager. Sekajipo holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Liberia.
Stephen Cicero Snoh
Stephen Cicero Snoh chose to work at Firestone Liberia because he wanted to contribute to the revival of the rubber industry in his native country of Liberia.
"With the prevailing state of decline in the rubber industry, Firestone Liberia can be considered as the trailblazer," said Snoh. "My presence at Firestone Liberia is an indication of my desire to contribute to the revitalization of the rubber industry, which is critical to the resuscitation of the Liberian economy as a whole."
A 14-year civil war ravaged this West African country, destroying most of Liberia's infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, housing and the largest industry sector: rubber. Since the end of the war, Firestone teammates like Snoh have been committed to rebuilding the country.
What does Snoh like most about Firestone? "The passion and commitment of the present management team in advancing the social and economic well being of the employees and their dependents," he said.
In his current position as Estates Production Manager, Snoh oversees field production and tapping operations, and supervises Estates Group Managers and Production Superintendents. Snoh began working as an Estates Production Superintendent for Firestone Liberia in 1984, advancing to Estates Group Manager in 2002 and finally to Estates Production Manager in 2004.
Snoh earned a bachelor's degree in forestry from the University of Liberia in 1975 and a master's degree in wood science from the State University of New York in Syracuse in 1979. Prior to joining Firestone, Snoh worked as an instructor in wood science at the University of Liberia.
Washington T. Waka
Washington T. Waka takes pride in ensuring that all rubber products shipped from Firestone Liberia meet customers' expectations.
As Quality Control Manager at Firestone Liberia, Waka is responsible for managing the quality program, which covers the preservation, inspection, sampling, testing and monitoring of natural latex and rubber properties.
Waka, who started working for Firestone in 1986, sought a job with the company after graduation because he saw an opportunity for growth. He has since been promoted from a Quality Control Supervisor, to a Quality Control Superintendent in 1998, and then to his current position as a Quality Control Manager later that same year.
Waka earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Liberia, where he was a Teaching Assistant — teaching classes and demonstrating analytical chemistry labs for sophomore students.
He has received numerous Firestone awards, including the Managing Director's Award in 2000 and the President's Award in 2002 and 2005. In his spare time, Waka raises funds to support recreational and educational activities for the youth of his community.
