AKRON (Jan. 17, 2017) — Tire Business has named Don Detore, previously managing editor of Rubber & Plastics News, to the publication's top editorial position, replacing long-time Editor Dave Zielasko, who becomes the publication's editorial director in addition to his role as publisher.
"This is an exciting development at Tire Business as Don is a seasoned and well-respected editor who understands both print and online publishing," Mr. Zielasko said.
"In his new role as editor, he will lead the editorial team with a focus on reporting the news of the tire industry as it pertains to independent tire dealers, helping readers spot and understand trends and how events — both local and globally — are reshaping the tire and automotive service business."
Mr. Detore joined Crain Communications Inc. and Rubber & Plastics News, a sister publication of Tire Business, as a copy editor nearly four years ago and was promoted to managing editor 10 months later.
Prior to that Mr. Detore spent 27 years at The Repository in Canton, Ohio, where he rose through the ranks to become Gatehouse Ohio Media's top editor.
In that role, he was responsible for every aspect of the newsroom operation, directly overseeing a staff of around 60 full-time equivalent employees for the daily Repository, The (Massillon, Ohio) Independent and The Dover-New Philadelphia (Ohio) Times-Reporter, and the local weekly Jackson Suburbanite and Green Suburbanite newspapers, and their respective websites.
Mr. Detore joined The Repository in 1985 as a sports writer and over the years served as assistant sports editor, sports editor, managing editor and finally executive editor.
Under his leadership, The Repository was named Ohio's top newspaper in its circulation category several years in a row in the Associated Press Society of Ohio contest.
In addition, Mr. Detore coordinated content preparation that resulted in GateHouse Media's Newspaper of the Year award for The Repository for three straight years.
Mr. Detore, a graduate of Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, also won multiple writing awards during his career.
In 2012, Mr. Detore received Walsh's Oustanding Alumni of the Year award and the Individual of the Year award from the Better Business Bureau.
"Don brings to Tire Business the skills and experience needed to lead the editorial team in a fast-changing media world that starts with developing must-read editorial content and delivering it to readers in whatever way they want to receive it," Mr. Zielasko said.
Mr. Detore becomes only the third editor in Tire Business' 34-year history. Ernie Zielasko, Dave's father, founded the publication for Crain in 1983 and was its first editor and publisher.
Mr. Detore began his new duties Jan. 3. He can be reached at (330) 865-6126 and at [email protected].