HORSESHOE BEND, Ark.-Nelson ``Bulldog'' Drummond, the new executive director of the Arkansas Independent Tire Dealers Association, has a goal to doggedly pursue an increase in membership, double attendance at next year's state convention and expand membership benefits. Mr. Drummond, who retired last September as manager of new dealer sales for the northeast region of Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., was hired as AITDA's administrator in December after he relocated from New Jersey to Arkansas with his wife, Marguerite.
Mr. Drummond succeeds Fred Simmons, who died last October. Mrs. Drummond serves as assistant executive director.
Mr. Drummond and the association hope to increase the current membership roster of 245 by another 25 percent this year and double the attendance at its convention next March. The recent AITDA convention in Hot Springs had a record attendance of 250 people, he said.
In an effort to get existing association members more involved, the AITDA will hold five regional meetings this year to provide updates on association activities and benefit programs.
During the group's convention in Hot Springs, March 15-17, the AITDA elected Charles Edens of Sherwood Tire, Sherwood, president, and Charles Tippy of McCaul Tire Co., Paragould, first vice president.
New board members include: Jacquelyn Geisler of Bobby Henard Inc., Brinkley; Jay Guiltner of Guiltner-Steele, West Memphis; and Arvin Williams of Williams Tire & Service, Benton.
Also during the convention, the AITDA debuted its annual Fred Simmons Memorial Golf Tournament and the Fred Simmons AITDA Scholarship Fund in honor of its long-time administrator.
The AITDA's new address is: P.O. Box 4078, Horseshoe Bend, Ark. 72512; (501) 670-5915.