BATON ROUGE, La. (April 8, 2014) —The Louisiana Independent Tire Dealers Association (LITDA) has introduced its 2014-2016 slate of officers and directors.
The association made the announcement at the LITDA Annual Convention held at the Bourbon Orleans in New Orleans on March 8.
The five members installed include: President Roger Spears; 1st Vice President David Ross; 2nd Vice President Dennis Richard; Treasurer Charley Gowland; and Secretary Derek Farris.
Mr. Spears is the owner of Twin City Supply L.L.C. in Monroe, La., LITDA said. He has served on the trade association's board of directors for 22 years and is a 2012 Hall of Fame recipient. Originally from Arkansas, Mr. Spears started with Rankin Automotive in 1976, later became sales manager and eventually went into business for himself in 2000.
Mr. Ross is founder of Ross Tire & Service in Lafayette and New Iberia, La. He began working in the tire business in 1971 for Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.
Mr. Richard is the president of Twin Tire & Auto Care Inc. in New Orleans, according to LITDA, has served on the board for many years and was inducted into the group's Hall of Fame in 2010.
Mr. Gowland is the founder and owner of Chabill's Tire Service in Morgan City, La. He has been a member of LITDA for many years and has served on the board of directors for the 15 years. LITDA said that during his tenure, he has held the positions of president, vice president, convention chairman as well as several committee chairmanships. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Mr. Farris is the owner of Grand Equipment Sales and Service L.L.C. in Pineville, La., and has been a member of LITDA since 1996. After working for Rankin Inc. for 12 years in both sales and management, the LITDA said he joined Hunter Engineering Inc. in 1999. Mr. Farris started Grand Equipment Sales and Service L.L.C. in 2002, and in 2011 he opened Grand Tire Service Centers.