In what has become a traditional kickoff to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) officially welcomed its next board president, Debra Hamlin, and other new board officers during the group’s annual meeting.
Outgoing TIA President Keith Jarman is passing the gavel to Hamlin, director of operations for Bridgestone Americas Inc.’s Commercial Dealer Network. Hamlin will serve alongside Vice President Russ Devens, Secretary Gary MacCausland, Treasurer TJ Trum and past President Jarmin.
Dick Gust, CEO of TIA, remarked that TIA concluded the 2023 fiscal year “at a strong operational position.”
The association also recognized those stepping down from board member positions including Jim Pangle, TIA’s 2022 president. Pangle is retiring this year after being with the association for 30 years.
Also stepping down this year are Don Vanderheyden and Leigh-Anne Stewart.
Five focuses
Gust says that TIA is focusing on five topics for next year to better serve TIA’s mission of “providing tire safety in education, act as a principal advocate of government affairs and to enhance the image and professionalism of the industry.”
First is training, especially in the earthmover segment.
Gust acknowledges that fatalities in the earthmover section have increased.
“We have made a substantial investment to enhance our earthmover tire service for our program,” says Gust.
This upgraded program will include modules on servicing assemblies for grain and with a crane and a sling. Plus, training on entire handlers.
The updated training program will be released in 2025.
TIA has also refreshed its certified ATS program, which was launched in the third quarter of 2024.
“We also translated our basic CTS program into Spanish making it available also in the third quarter of 2024,” says Gust.
TIA is also in the process of translating its certified CTS program into Spanish to be released in 2025.
The second practice is government affairs.
TIA has been working on Right-to-Repair legislation to get momentum going again in Congress.
“It is essential we have the right access to tools and information needed to repair vehicles,” says Gust.
Next, Gust discussed professional leadership and finding and retaining good employees.
TIA’s NEXGEN council was created in 2023 and emerged to help dealers find and retain younger employees.
Gust says the association also formed an alliance with the Association of Career and Technical Education to “engage in ways to develop this future workforce using technical school educational resources.”
TIA also encouraged its members to become certified members of Truckers Against Trafficking.
Gust also talked about the Global Tire Expo, which is part of the SEMA show.
He says the 2024 Global Tire Expo saw a 15% increase of exhibitors with 242 in total. The SEMA show has 2,400 exhibiting companies.
TIA also hosts educational sessions during SEMA week which already has over 2,000 participants preregistered.
Gust hopes to continue to see growth at the Global Tire Expo and SEMA Show.
Lastly, he provided a preview of TIA’s 2025 OTR Conference which is being held in San Juan, Puerto Rico from Feb. 19-22.
This year's conference has a 20% higher registration rate than last year with 77 sponsors. Over 68% of the association's hotel block is already reserved.
