BOWIE, Md. — Longtime retreading expert Marvin Bozarth will retire as the Tire Industry Association's (TIA) senior technical consultant at the upcoming 2018 TIA Off-the-Road (OTR) Tire Conference, capping a 60-year industry career.
Mr. Bozarth has been active with the industry's trade associations since 1990, both as the executive director of the former American Retreaders' Association (ARA) and the former International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) from 1991-2002.
He took on the role as TIA consultant in 2002 and has been the primary resource for all TIA members involved in the retreading and repairing industries, the association said.
“We are grateful for the decades of service that Marvin has provided the membership and wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his life,” said Roy Littlefield, TIA executive vice president.
“Marvin and I have worked together since he started with the association and his knowledge of the industry has played a crucial role in all of our government affairs efforts. He is an industry icon who will be missed by everyone in the tire business.”
Mr. Bozarth's career in the industry began in 1958 as plant manager of the Missouri Farmers Association Oil Co., a position he held for seven years. His focus on retreading grew in 1965 when he became general manager for Community Tire Co. in St. Louis.
In 1990 he was named technical director of the American Retreaders' Association and, a year later, became the ARA's executive director. During his tenure he was the editor of the association's Tire Retreading/Repair Journal and oversaw the ARA's name change to the ITRA.
During the 63rd Annual OTR Conference at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Mr. Bozarth will speak on the future of the retreading and repairing industries at the general sessions.
He will give his final presentation Feb. 22 as a member of the TIA staff. It will mark almost three decades with the association and serve as his farewell to the industry, TIA said.
“Marvin has helped so many people over his career that we wanted to make sure he had a chance to take the stage one last time,” said Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training.
“It's an opportunity for him to give attendees his insight into the future of the industry and to thank those who have helped him along the way," he added. "Anyone who knows Marvin knows that OTR retreading is his first love in the tire business, so his retirement at the OTR Conference and a spot on the program were a natural fit.”
Mr. Bozarth was elected to the TIA Hall of Fame in 2003.