AUSTIN, Texas-Improving business management and theft control are among the topics of the Texas Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association convention and trade exhibit, April 20-23, at the Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth. With the theme ``Power through teamwork,'' the convention will feature R. Dean Akers of Clearwater, Fla.-based Don Olson Truck Tire Centers, who will explain how dealers can ``Wow the accountants.''
Other seminars will focus on theft control and how to achieve personal and professional excellence.
For more information, contact the TTDRA, P.O. Box 140046, Austin, Texas 78714-0046; (512) 451-8748.
NTDA dilves into stud issue
KENNEWICK, Wash.-The studded tire issue surfaced in the Oregon and Washington legislatures at about the same time the Northwest Tire Dealers Association was hosting its convention, Feb. 10-11.
So the association enlisted one of its convention speakers on the subject, Bruno Wessel, a tire stud distributor, to testify in both states on the advantages of lightweight studs currently used in the Scandinavian countries to reduce damage to highway surfaces.
Following hearings and meetings with both states' officials in early February, the NWTDA was asked to help rewrite their bills in order to ease proposed restrictions on the use of studded tires, according to NWTDA Executive Director Richard Nordness.
During the NWTDA convention in Bellevue, Wash., the Washington State Tire Dealers Association elected Matt Alton of Alton's Tire & Automotive, Spokane, president; Ed McCormack of McCormack Tire Factory, Longview, president-elect; Kevin Frank of Frank's Tire Factory, Yakima, vice president; and Mike Wurdeman of Formula Tire & Materials Inc., Marysville, secretary-treasurer.
New WSTDA directors include Bill Bailey Jr. of Bill Bailey For Tires, Mount Vernon; John Carver of Tires Inc. of Chehalis; and Randy Knowles of C*&*L Tire & Wheel, Spokane.
The Oregon Tire Dealers Association tapped Doug Kaess of G*&*J Tires, Corvallis, president; Dave Simas of Riverside Tire Factory, Roseburg, president-elect; and Kenny Brown of Alan Brown Tire Center, Newport, vice president; and Steve Millar of Hiway Tire Factory, Canby, secretary-treasurer.
New members to the OTDA board include: Bob Campbell of Bob's OK Tire Store, Salem; Ed Miller of Ed's Associated Tire Factory, Medford; and Mike Manning of Nelson Tire Factory, The Dalles.
Ms. show to feature training
LANHAM, Md.-Refining phone skills and promoting personnel training are among the seminar topics slated for the Maryland Tire Dealers Association convention and trade show, March 17-19, at the Princess Royale Hotel, Ocean City.
Three seminars will discuss: proper use of the telephone in a business, the importance of good automotive service training and business survival tips.
The convention also will include speakers who will update members on the Car Care Month program and the state's scrap tire laws.
For more information, contact the MTDA at its new address and phone number: 3501 Offutt Road, Randallstown, Md. 21133; (410) 922-2031.
RMA taps new standards exec.
WASHINGTON-The Rubber Manufacturers Association has named Steven Butcher vice president of the group's Technical and Standards department on Feb. 10, replacing the retiring Frank E. Timmons.
A 10-year veteran of the industry association, Mr. Butcher served most recently as vice president of its General Products Group.
Throughout his RMA tenure, Mr. Butcher has been active in developing quality assurance programs throughout the rubber industry. He helped develop domestic and international standards for hose, belting, roofing, sealing product and roll covering manufacturers, and played a major role in creating the General Products Group from seven RMA non-tire product divisions.
The association is still searching for a replacement for Mr. Butcher at the GPG, according to RMA President Thomas E. Cole.