A new generation of leaders is influencing the livelihoods of today’s independent tire dealers, and Modern Tire Dealer is recognizing those who are On the Rise. Young men and women are at the forefront of the industry, and they’re helping to lead the way as our business continues to evolve at the lightning-speed pace typical of the 21st century. From product development and manufacturing all the way to the sales counter and service bays, young leaders are finding ways to propel our industry forward.
Heather BarnesStrategic marketing manager for the automotive group | GreatAmerica Financial Services Corp. | Age: 27What was your first job in the industry?I entered the automotive...
Linda Bassitt President | Latin Expo Group LLC | Age: 30 What was your first job in the industry? My first job was the show director for the Latin American & Caribbean Tyre...
Marisa Blank Director of OE account management | Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC | Age: 38 What was your first job in the industry? I was a co-op for Dow Automotive in...
Steve Bourassa Director of products and pricing | Nokian Tyres Inc. | Age: 37 What was your first job in the industry? My first job was as a warehouse worker and delivery driver...
Marshall Bullard Wholesale and wheel specialist | BTS Tire & Wheel Distributors, a division of Black’s Tire Service Inc. | Age: 36 What was your first job in the industry...
Brandon Burns Store manager | Firestone Complete Auto Care | Age: 28 What was your first job in the industry? I started as a part-time general service tech at NTB Tire & Service...
Quick Chadwick Director of marketing for Tire Pros | American Tire Distributors Inc. (ATD) | Age: 40 What was your first job in the industry? I was a regional marketing manager...
Josh Chalofsky Chief operating officer | Simple Tire LLC | Age: 33 What was your first job in the industry? My first job in the industry was working in my uncle's retail store...
Jeff Cheek Owner and manager | Countryside Tire and Auto Service Inc. | Age: 37 What was your first job in the industry? My first and only job in the industry has been as a shop...
Cameron Chernikow National program manager for Tire Pros marketing and communications | American Tire Distributors Inc. | Age: 30 What was your first job in the industry? I started...
Taryn Chmielowicz Director of marketing | Myers Tire Supply Co. | Age: 38 What was your first job in the industry? This is it! What attracted you to the industry? The marketing...
Carter Clark Mobile tire tech | Clark Tire Center Inc. dba Clark Tire Pros | Age: 20 What was your first job in the industry? Working part-time for my grandfather and father installing...
Joel Clark Store manager | Clark Tire Co. Inc. | Age: 36 What was your first job in the industry? My first job was working at our warehouse when I was 7 years old. I would go ...
Justin Crosby Northwest product service manager | Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. | Age: 33 What was your first job in the industry? My first title was national account sales specialist...
Tom Eisenberg General Manager : West Coast Tire and Service | Age: 26 What was your first job in the industry? When I was really young I used to help my grandfather put stamps...
Melissa Fairman Senior manager human resources | Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels | Age: 35 What was your first job in the industry? I’ve worked in human resources...
Brian Finkelstein Vice president of sales | Max Finkelstein Inc. | Age: 28 What was your first job in the industry? My first job in the industry was working in hot, sticky, distribution...
Darryl Fraley Service writer, technician, and sales and marketing representative | Golden Rule Auto Care and Autotext.Me | Age: 21 What was your first job in the industry? Service...
Colin Gallagher Regional sales director | American Tire Distributors Inc. | Age: 34 What was your first job in the industry? I joined ATD in 2007 as a strategic planning analyst...
Christian Garcia Manager | Freedom Tire Distributing Inc. | Age: 29 What was your first job in the industry? Unloading containers for my dad. What attracted you to the industry...
Chris Gaudioso Owner and technician | Driven Automotive Service | Age: 39 What was your first job in the industry? General service technician who changed tires and oil. What...
Matt Glauber President and chief operating officer | Meridian Rack & Pinion Inc., dba Buyautoparts.com | Age: 35 What was your first job in the industry? Product analyst for...
Nick Gutierrez Western region sales manager | Sentury Tire Americas | Age: 33 What was your first job in the industry? The summer after high school I went straight into the...
Erin Halicki Southeast regional account manager | GreatAmerica Financial Services Corp. | Age: 27 What was your first job in the industry? My first job in this industry is the...
Brian Harris Location manager | McCarthy Tire Service Inc. | Age: 37 What was your first job in the industry? My first cooperative education job in high school was at Transcontinental...
Justin Hayes Consumer tire product manager | Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations LLC | Age: 33 What was your first job in the industry? My first job at Bridgestone was doing ...
Jacquie Hower Director of operations | Zimmerman's Automotive Service Inc. | Age: 30 What was your first job in the industry? My first job in the industry was as a quick ...
Matthew King Operations manager | RNR Tire Express and Custom Wheel | Age: 33 What was your first job in the industry? Wheel and tire technician. What attracted you to the industry...
DareRick Krufchinski New York regional sales manager | McCarthy Tire Service Inc. | Age: 31 What was your first job in the industry? I started in the tire industry as a retail...
Nicholas Larose Supply chain planning director | Nokian Tyres Inc. | Age: 37 What was your first job in the industry? I started in the industry with a warehouse position....
Zeb Lee Store manager | Purcell Tire and Rubber Co. dba Purcell Tire and Service Centers | Age: 37 What was your first job in the industry? Department manager for Wal-Mart Tire...
Nick Lenhart Owner and partner | Lenhart's Service Center Tire Pros LLC | Age: 32 What was your first job in the industry? My first job I was basically a janitor. I would...
Christy Lewis Outside account manager | American Tire Distributors Inc. | Age: 30 What was your first job in the industry? My first job in the tire industry was as a retail merchandisin...
Christine Linder Manufacturing Services Manager for Tire Assembly | Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. | Age: 34 What was your first job in the industry? I started out as a cooperative...
Roy Littlefield IV Director of government affairs | Tire Industry Association | Age: 25 What was your first job in the industry? My first job in the industry was an intern for...
Kyle Melvin Store manager | Palumbo's Car Care Center Inc. | Age: 27 What was your first job in the industry? My first job in the industry, I thought I was a professional...
Luis Navarro Vice president of operations and sales for Central Mexico | TERSA Corp. | Age: 33 What was your first job in the industry? I started in the retread plant. Since...
Stephen Panzera Commercial sales representative | Service Tire Truck Centers Inc. | Age: 33 What was your first job in the industry? I worked the final inspection post in our ...
Carlos Ramirez Manager | C & G Auto Center Inc. | Age: 29 What was your first job in the industry? My first job in the industry was as an apprentice. I did it all from...
Jill Richter Auto dealer account manager | RHD Tire | Age: 33 What was your first job in the industry? My first job in the industry is my current position at RHD Tire. I love ...
Kyle Roberts Director of marketing | Nexen Tire America Inc. | Age: 40 What was your first job in the industry? My current role as director of marketing for Nexen Tire America...
Michael Rose Product manager | Bartec USA LLC | Age: 36 What was your first job in the industry? I started at Bartec USA in 2007 as a shop associate. I was able to quickly learn...
Jason Roth Sales account specialist | Myers Tire Supply Co.| Age: 35 What was your first job in the industry? I began my career in a hybrid role of product-focused route sales...
Aaron Sweitz Auto technician | Autco Inc. dba Autco Tire Pros | Age: 29 What was your first job in the industry? Oil changer and tire tech. What attracted you to the industry?...
William Taulbee Owner and head technician | Brogan & Folz dba Brogan & Folz Firestone | Age: 38 What was your first job in the industry? I started out changing tires...
Aaron Telle CEO and president | Telle Tire & Auto Service Inc. | Age: 33 What was your first job in the industry? I started in the business at 15 years old working on summer...
Geoffrey Tolley Senior category manager | Advance Auto Parts Inc. | Age: 39 What was your first job in the industry? Inventory analyst. What attracted you to the industry? Consistent...
Dan Trzeciak Marketing and information technology manager | Levin Tire Center Inc. dba Levin Tire & Service Center | Age: 30 What was your first job in the industry? My role...
Raymond Turner Jr. Distribution Center Manager | Advantage One Tire Network | Age: 33 What was your first job in the industry? Technically I started at 13 pulling weeds, ...
Brian Wheeler Corporate marketing and communications manager | Dayco Products LLC | Age: 33 What was your first job in the industry? Marketing manager for the North American...
Jennifer Wiens Brand manager and safety coordinator | Ted Wiens Tire & Auto Service Centers | Age: 31 What was your first job in the industry? I came in to Ted Wiens Tier ...
Matt Wilson Sales manager and shop technician | Wilson’s Direct Inc. dba Wilson’s Direct Motors & Tires | Age: 31 What was your first job in the industry?...
Josh Wright Owner and operator | The Tire Shop | Age: 31 What was your first job in the industry? Sweeping floors and cleaning tire equipment at Hinson’s Tire Pros in Morro...
Brian Wright General Manager | Tire Network Group | Age: 27 What was your first job in the industry? My first job in the industry was with Kumho as marketing event coordinator...
