RESTON, Va. (Jan. 15, 2002) — Ballots asking members of the Tire Association of North America and the International Tire & Rubber Association to vote on the proposed merger of the two groups went into the mail Jan. 15.
“We hope everyone gets out and votes,” said Ross Kogel, executive vice president of TANA and interim executive vice president of ITRA.
For the proposed merger to go forward, two-thirds of those voting must approve the plan, he said. Ballots must be returned by Jan. 31.
“I think it's crucial that as many members of both organizations participate in this vote as possible,” Mr. Kogel said. “It's crucial for folks to have a say in the future of the organization and to participate in the most important in our respective organizations' histories.”
Should their members OK the merger, the two associations would be combined into one national association effective, July 1.
The combined group, which has yet to be named, will maintain TANA's headquarters in Reston and ITRA's in Louisville, Ky., for the time being.
TANA President Steve Disney will be the new organization's first president, serving from July 1, 2002, to Nov. 4, 2002. Current ITRA President Tom Raben will succeed him for a term that will last for one year.
Mr. Kogel will serve as the new association's executive vice president.
The boards of TANA and ITRA announced the plan to merge their two groups last October following about 2 1/2 years of negotiations.