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 Refrigerated Lines (TRL) trucking in Pittston, Pa., where I fueled trucks and assisted with yard checks. After graduation, I stayed on at TRL, quickly gaining experience and moved up to tire changer. I joined McCarthy Tire Service in 1999 as a tire changer in the Wilkes-Barre, Pa., truck service department. I had successive promotions to road service technician, service manager, and location manager. In 2012, I became the location manager for McCarthy Tire’s newly acquired commercial truck service location in Charlotte, N.C.
What attracted you to the industry?
I have been around trucks from an early age. My uncle was an owner-operator, and he encouraged my interest in trucks. It was a natural fit to join my high school’s diesel and automotive program.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career?
While the store’s climb to its current rank is our greatest success, the road there has been my greatest challenge. We improved and streamlined operations in the service shop, retread plant, and warehouse, expanded and invigorated the sales team, and upgraded all aspects of customer service. Key to these improvements was integrating the culture of McCarthy Tire Service into the team.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
John D. McCarthy, Jr., president of McCarthy Tire Service, has been, and continues to be, the greatest influence in my professional career. I credit his personal guidance and encouragement as vital to my success with the Charlotte location's turnaround.
What is your biggest accomplishment in the industry?
The Charlotte location was struggling when I joined the team. It was losing customers and revenue and struggling with personnel issues. I will count the store’s turnaround as my biggest professional accomplishment. The Charlotte truck service location recently took the No. 1 spot out of 46 stores on the McCarthy Tire leaderboard, beating out the flagship Wilkes-Barre location as the most profitable store in the company.
What do you expect to be doing 20 years from now?
I fully expect to be working at McCarthy Tire Service. No matter what my position may be at that time, my goal will always stay the same: for our team to be the best in tire industry.
What’s the biggest issue facing the industry today?
Finding the right candidates for employment.
What’s the one thing you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
No matter what ones position is within any organization, you need to stay focused and 100% committed. We all wear many hats but every position plays an important role.
How do you encourage others to enter the industry?
I believe it’s all about the company you will be working for, rather than the industry. Today it’s more about telling a potential candidate about your organization and the opportunities that he or she can achieve.
Tell us about your family.
My family is great. I have been married to my wife Teresa for 19 years. I have two sons, Corey and Ryan. Corey is in college and Ryan is 9 and enjoying life.
What’s your favorite weekend activity?
Spending time with my family.
What keeps you up at night?
Planning for the next day of business.
Tell us something about yourself others might not know.
I enjoy working on older muscle cars as restoration projects.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Taking a vacation day.
Name a talent you wish you had.
Patience.
What’s your favorite food?
Pizza.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
My son, Zachary, and my daughter, Kayla, who died in 2006.
If we took your cell phone away and said it would cost you $1,000 to get it back, how long would you survive until you paid the ransom?
I would have to pay this immediately, In today’s world a cell phone is a necessity. Everything links through your phone especially email & text.
