Goodyear chair to resign

Goodyear chairman Samir G. Gibara told shareholders Wednesday he is resigning as of June 30, culminating the company’s leadership transition plan.

President and chief executive officer Robert J. Keegan, whom Gibara hired into Goodyear from Eastman Kodak Co. in 2000, will take over as chairman. The move was anticipated as part of the transition plan of the world’s largest tire company.

Goodyear recently reported a record $1.1 billion annual loss.

Earnings

Westar declares dividend

Topeka-based Westar Energy will pay a quarterly dividend of 19 cents per share, board members agreed Wednesday.

The dividend will be paid to shareholders of record as of June 9. It will be paid on July 1.

Also Atchison-based MGP Industries announced a loss of 4 cents per share for the most recent quarter. That compares to a profit of 9 cents a share during the same period a year ago.

Shawnee-based Seaboard Corp. reported a loss of 74 cents per share versus a profit of $1.16 per share during the same period a year ago.

Entertainment

Muppet empire sold back to Henson family

Ailing German media group EM.TV & Merchandising AG said on Wednesday it agreed to sell Jim Henson Company, the maker of the Muppets, to the children of its founder Jim Henson.

Putting an end to a protracted auction that has been going on for years, EM.TV said it would sell the group for $89 million. It bought Henson in 2000 for $680 million at the peak of the stock market bubble.