John McCarthy III
Regional Sales Manager | McCarthy Tire Service Co. Inc. | Age: 26
What was your first job in the industry?
Material handler/warehouse employee
What attracted you to the industry?
Last time I checked, everyone still needs tires. On a more serious note, the fact that our company was looking to grow while many competitors had no succession plan was appealing.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?
The biggest challenge I have faced would be finding the right candidates in the current job market.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
The biggest influence so far in my career has been my dad. It seems all his employees, suppliers and customers love him and speak so highly of him, so I strive every day to work on building relationships within our industry and company like he has.
What is your biggest accomplishment in the industry?
So far, my biggest accomplishment has been growing our company's presence in the Philadelphia/south New Jersey market. In my new role, however, I hope to grow sales in some newer segments of ours, like mechanical service and industrial/forklift tires.
Tell us about your current job and responsibilities. How do you spend your workday?
As of right now, I am the regional sales manager for southeast Pennsylvania, New Jersey and northern Maryland. I spend my day riding with our sales reps or helping them solve issues with customers.
What did you do before you entered the tire industry?
I went to College at Villanova University and studied business management.
If a friend expressed an interest in joining the industry, what advice would you give them?
It takes a lot of hard work and people skills, but it is definitely a great industry.
What do you expect to be doing 20 years from now?
Helping McCarthy Tire become more appealing to millennial job applicants.
Aside from the basics like health insurance, what’s the most important perk/benefit an employer should offer?
I think my generation might say vacation days. It seems to be becoming a bigger and bigger factor.
What’s the biggest issue facing the tire industry?
Currently, I would say the biggest issue would be finding tire technicians.
Tell us about your family.
My family consists of my dad, my mom, Lynn, and our puppy, Fiona. We like to golf, watch TV together and go out for pizza.
What’s the worst cliché or generalization made about your generation?
I would probably say that the worst generalization is that we don't work hard enough. Most of the time it’s better to work smarter than harder.
Name a talent you wish you had.
Work-related, I wish I was a better communicator. Non work-related, I wish I was a better dancer. I have two left feet out on the dance floor.
What’s your favorite childhood memory?
Probably playing sports while my dad coached. He was always coaching me – basketball, baseball. He literally never played soccer in his life but coached me in soccer somehow.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
Warren Buffet
Do you live by a mantra or motto? If so, what is it?
Treat others as you want to be treated.
Tell us something about yourself others might not know.
I came in fourth place in my high school's wing eating contest. Still very proud of that to this day!
What’s your go-to song for a road trip playlist?
I'm more of a podcast kind of person when in the car, but it would probably be “Don't Stop Me Now” by Queen.
If tomorrow you could move into any other position in your company, what would you choose, and why?
IT, just because it's an area that fascinates me and one I'd like to learn a lot more about.
What’s your favorite weekend activity?
My pickup basketball games on Saturday
Who’s your role model?
My dad
If we gave you $1,000 and one hour, how would you spend the money?
I'd spend it on a new pair of shoes.
What advice would you give your high school self?
Stop shaving your head. Those pictures will haunt your Facebook forever.
