YARMOUTH, Maine — The New England Tire & Service Association (NETSA) has selected its president, Anthony DeSimone, as its next executive director to succeed Dick Cole, who retires Jan. 31.
Mr. DeSimone is a longtime NETSA board member and served as association secretary. He retired in 2015 after more than 40 years in the tire industry, including management positions with American Tire Distributors Holdings Inc., Englewood Tire Wholesale, Continental Tire the Americas and TBC Corp.
Mr. Cole, a former tire dealer, has been executive director since 2003. He was inducted into the NETSA Hall of Fame in 2011.
"Tony's industry experience, knowledge of NETSA and his vision for the future of NETSA makes him the ideal choice," said Rich Tuttle, NETSA vice president and head of the search committee.
Mr. DeSimone told Tire Business that he will be working as the executive director on a full-time basis after Mr. Cole retires.
One of his goals is to encourage more independent tire dealers, especially younger ones, to join the board. NETSA's board currently has 22 directors but there are additional seats open for several more members.
The board meets about four times a year and directors are required to attend at least two of those meetings. "So it's not a full-time involvement," said Mr. DeSimone, who plans to visit and call tire dealers throughout New England to invite them to meetings and get more involved with the association.
NETSA has more than 580 member locations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. NETSA activities and events include its annual trade show and convention and an annual Scholarship Golf Tournament to raise money for its student scholarships program.
The association also publishes the Road Runner quarterly newsletter, monitors legislative issues and provides educational and informational support for association members, NETSA said.