BOWIE, Md. (April 7, 2015) — The Tire Industry Association (TIA) is recognizing the achievements of 18 women tire industry executives in the Spring 2015 issue of its quarterly magazine, Today's Tire Industry.
The 12-page article, “Women to Watch in the Tire Industry,” highlights the achievements of the following executives:
- Cara Adams, senior project engineer-race tire development, Bridgestone Americas Inc.
- Beth Barron, vice president of operations, Chabill's Tire and Auto Service, Morgan City, La.
- Tammy Belldina, manager, Tire Lady's Rainbow Tire, Morgantown, W. Va.
- Deborah Bjorklund, president, TMR Holdings, The Main Resource, Sarasota, Fla.
- Maria Borrelli, president and CEO, Pro 1 Tire Service, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Jamie Bullis, lead technician, Firestone Complete Auto Care, Minnetonka, Minn.
- DD Coley, president, Consumer Tire Pros, Chardon, Ohio.
- Christine Croucher, owner, Tire Lady's Rainbow Tire, Morgantown, W. Va.
- Pat Fleischmann, director of first impressions, Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair, Phoenix, Ariz.
- Audra Fordin, owner and executive director, Great Bear Automotive and Women Auto Know, Flushing, N.Y.
- Fran Jones, plant manager, Bridgestone Americas Aiken Passenger Tire Plant, Aiken, S.C.
- Chris Karbowiak, chief administrative officer, chief risk officer and executive vice president, vice president and senior officer, Bridgestone Americas Inc. and Bridgestone Corp., Nashville, Tenn.
- Michelle Lane, OTR marketing director, Bridgestone Americas, Nashville.
- Jill Marcotte, partner and chief supply officer, Dealer Tire L.L.C., Cleveland.
- Viktoria Petersons, service coordinator, Discount Tire, Richmond, Texas.
- Carol Rice, vice president of business development, Tech International, Johnstown, Ohio.
- Katrina Smith, manager, Phoenix Auto Center Tire Pros, Phoenix, Ore.
- Christie Stock, president, Associated Tire Stores Tire Pros, Logan, Utah.
This is the first year TIA has run a feature on women in the tire industry, and it based the article on a large number of nominations from the industry, the association said. The feature is not connected with advertising or any promotional contest.
“The tire industry has always been noted as being a man's world,” said TIA President Freda-Pratt Boyer in an April 6 press release. “This magazine showcases the success stories of many women in the industry and highlights the vital roles that they play.
“We hope that this effort will elevate the image of women in the professional and provide women currently in the industry and those considering careers in the industry with inspiration and motivation,” Ms. Pratt-Boyer said.
