MEMPHIS, Tenn. (March 28, 2001)—Don Helker, vice president of private brand marketer Del-Nat Tire Corp., is leaving the company after nine years to pursue other interests, effective March 30.
Mr. Helker told Tire Business he plans to move to Greenwood, S.C., a city located about midway between Atlanta and Greenville, S.C., and help out his two children with their businesses—cash advance stores. But after being a tire jockey for a number of years, he said he´d still like to "mess around in the tire business in some way." He may eventually want to try brokering some tires, he said, "or run a program for an off-shore company, since many don´t have agents or contacts here."
Del-Nat President Bob Gardner called Mr. Helker´s departure "very amicable," and said he plans to announce his replacement during the company´s annual shareholders meeting, which will be held April 1-5 in Cancun, Mexico.
"We´re very happy for Don and wish him the best," Mr. Gardner told Tire Business. "He´s done a very good job for us. As part of his basic responsibilities, over the last three years Don introduced many fine new tire lines for our members — and at least six in the last year and a half."