Seth Murphree
Truck service risk specialist | TravelCenters of America | Anderson, S.C. | Age: 36
What was your first job in the industry?
My journey in the tire industry began as a tire technician at a truck stop. Beyond changing tires, my duties encompassed a range of maintenance tasks across the entire property, from taking out the trash and cleaning showers and toilets to maintaining fuel pumps and pressure washing.
What attracted you to the industry?
I didn't initially plan on joining the tire industry. I was working in construction when job opportunities started to dwindle, so I took a job at the truck stop to make ends meet. What started as a temporary solution quickly turned into a passion. The tire industry captivated me with its constant learning opportunities, and I haven't looked back since.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?
The biggest challenge I've faced in my career is learning patience. As someone who loves to fix things quickly, I've had to learn the importance of slowing down and seeing the bigger picture. It's easy to get frustrated when things don't go as planned, but I've learned to analyze situations thoroughly before making decisions. This ability to think logically from different perspectives has proved crucial in translating the needs of frontline tire industry workers to stakeholders in the boardroom.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
My friend and mentor, David Bowers has had a profound influence on my career. As my general manager when I was a young tire tech, he was the first to push me out of my comfort zone. His unwavering support and encouragement over the years have been instrumental in my professional growth and development. I have no doubt that I would not be where I am today without his support.
Additionally, my partner, Kenzie, has been a constant source of support, always backing my ambitious dreams.
What is your biggest accomplishment in the industry?
One of my proudest accomplishments in the industry is training and mentoring others. I take great pride in sharing my mistakes so others can learn to do things correctly the first time. Unfortunately, safety in the tire industry is often overlooked. I am deeply committed to proactively improving training and safety culture, and I truly believe that my efforts have made a significant impact, potentially saving lives.
Tell us about your current job and responsibilities. How do you spend your workday?
I currently work as a truck service risk specialist, where my primary focus is on risk assessment, incident root cause analysis and strengthening policies and procedures. A significant part of my day is spent partnering with the operations team to assess potential risks and recommend proactive solutions for reducing those risks in our shops.
What's been the biggest surprise of your current job?
I’ve been in the tire industry for over 14 years, working for various companies, and the level of safety focus has always differed from one to another. When I joined TravelCenters of America (TA) eight months ago, I was pleasantly surprised by the unique and dedicated approach to risk management and safety that BP brought (TA is part of the BP portfolio). Our leadership is laser-focused on continuously learning and improving, which has been refreshing to see.
Tell us about your family.
I have two daughters, ages 13 and 11, and two sons, ages 9 and (almost) 1, with another daughter on the way, due in January. Our lives are busy with sports — volleyball, basketball and baseball are our staples. We also make it a point to have family time on weekends, playing card and board games with a strict "no devices" rule. My partner Kenzie and I also share our home with a cat, which I never thought I’d love, but now I can’t imagine not having.
If you could wake up tomorrow with one new skill, what would you choose?
I’d love to be fluent in multiple languages.
In a single word, how would your friends describe you?
Passionate.
If you could switch careers tomorrow, what would you want to do, and why?
I’d become a submariner. My grandfather served in the Navy for 30 years, spending a decade on diesel submarines. He didn’t share many stories, (they call it the Silent Service for a reason) but the ones he did tell were fascinating and taught me a lot about teamwork and shared responsibility.
What's the biggest issue facing the tire industry?
Technician safety. There’s a significant disconnect between how executives think work is happening versus how it’s performed on the frontlines. It’s an issue I’m deeply passionate about, and while there’s a lot of work to do, it’s exciting to see progress being made in recent years. There is a phrase that I have heard BP leaders reference that I really like: “Work imagined is different than work done.” We focus on what’s actually happening on the frontlines to ensure safety is always at the forefront of how we work.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a submariner! My grandfather convinced me around the age of 14 or 15 that I was too tall for the Navy, though.
How do you unwind after a stressful day?
I occasionally enjoy a good bourbon to unwind.
What goal did you set for yourself this year? Are you on track to reach it?
I set several goals at the start of the year, and I’m on track for most of them. One goal I’ve struggled with is writing in my journal at least once a week, but I’m working on it.
What do you expect to be doing 20 years from now?
I expect to be in executive leadership. A few years ago, I set some long-term goals, and that’s one of them — continuing to grow and take on bigger challenges in the industry.
