Big O honors top dealers

Additionally, Big O Tires presented “Standing ‘O' Awards” — which recognize franchisees and corporate staff for going above and beyond to support Big O — to the following (check out the video links):

• Mike Pryor, owner and partner of 12 stores in Colorado and New Mexico;

• Dave Doyle, owner of two stores in Indianapolis;
• Ryan Stewart, owner of one store in Wyoming;
• Josh Landess, store manager in Colorado Springs, Colo.; and

• Rhonda Ceballos, senior credit analyst for TBC.

Mr. Tryon, owner of Big O Tires stores in Topeka and Lawrence, Kan., was recognized with the Point of Light Award, which recognizes extraordinary franchisees that have contributed to the Big O organization with their knowledge, expertise, and dedication, TBC said. Mr. Tryon has been a franchisee since 2005.

More than 750 Big O Tires franchise owners, managers, and corporate associates recently gathered in San Diego for the organization's 52nd annual convention, which was themed “Full Speed Ahead” and featured a kick-off evening aboard the historic USS Midway Aircraft Carrier & Museum.

Among news the attendees took home with them was information about Big O's latest marketing initiatives, including the national CARMA “Car Caring” campaign, as presented by Kim McBee, vice president of marketing.

Executive Vice President Kevin Kormondy discussed same store growth and increasing store count, two key focus areas for the organization as it implements plans to grow the franchisees' stores revenues and to increase the Big O footprint in its geographies, TBC said.

Newly appointed TBC Chairman Erik Olsen also addressed the gathering to let them in on the company's strategy for the next several years.