BOWIE, Md. (Aug. 23, 2013) — The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has named Lex Brodie, the late founder of Lex Brodie's Tire Co., Robert Dunlap, president and CEO of Dunlap & Kyle Co. Inc., and Richard Johnson, retired chairman and CEO of American Tire Distributors Holdings Inc. (ATD), to its Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame inductions and presentation of the Ed Wagner Leadership Award will take place at the Tire Industry Honors Awards Ceremony on Nov. 4 at the Cosmopolitan hotel in Las Vegas. The event is open to all and complimentary tickets may be reserved by visiting TIA's website.
- Mr. Brodie started Lex Brodie's Tire in 1961 in Hawaii. In 1975, Mr. Brodie started the Small Business Association of Hawaii (now Smart Business Hawaii) to help small businesses to be better represented. In 1994, he received the Holo I Mua Award from the Better Business Bureau, which recognizes outstanding local businesses. In 2002, Lex Brodie's Tire became the first company in Hawaii to become a AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility. Mr. Brodie was also known for his passion for protecting the environment and his love of surfing. He died Jan. 11 at age 98.
- Mr. Dunlap was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1953. Upon leaving the Navy, he transformed an old junkyard on his father's property, where he sold used tires off junk cars, into one of Mississippi's largest and most successful companies. The dealership now operates Dunlap & Kyle Co., Hesselbein Tire Co. and Gateway Tire Co. and has 56 stores in seven states. He has served on numerous dealer councils and was a founding member of TBC Corp. Mr. Dunlap is involved in the betterment of the state of Mississippi and the community of Batesville, according to TIA, with his support of local schools, community organizations, Boy Scouts and wildlife conservation.
- Mr. Johnson retired from American Tire Distributors in 2009. In 2003, he was named chairman of TIA's first state association committee. As committee he worked with the executive directors of the state and regional dealer associations to improve relations with TIA and to develop ways in which TIA and the state groups could work together for the industry's benefit, the association said. Prior to becoming ATD's chairman and CEO in 2003, Mr. Johnson was the company's president from 2001. Before that, he led Heafner Tire Group's Southeast Division as president.
In addition, Greg Smith, publisher of Modern Tire Dealer magazine, will receive the Ed Wagner Leadership Award. It is named in honor of the late Ed Wagner, who was a strong voice in the tire industry throughout his career, TIA said.