Detore: Time to nominate dealers for Humanitarian Award

The month that traditionally comes in like a lion and out like a lamb — here in Northeast Ohio, it often comes in like a lion and leaves like a lion — is upon us.

Once the calendar turns to March, and then April, it's time for spring break, and before you blink your eye, summer is upon us. Trust me, the older you get, the quicker time passes. (One of life's great mysteries.)

So please consider this your reminder: Be sure to nominate a worthy tire dealer for the Tire Business Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award.

You do have some time — the deadline for nominations is July 31 — but that day will be here before you can say Hakkapeliietta.

The award, in its 30th year, is given to an independent tire dealer or retreader who during the past year has made significant contributions to the betterment of his or her community through charitable and/or public service work.

An independent panel judges the nominations. The winner will be recognized on Oct. 30 during the annual Tire Industry Association (TIA) Honors program, which will be held prior to the opening of the SEMA Show, scheduled to run Oct. 31-Nov. 3.

The winner not only receives an attractive medal inscribed with his or her name, dealership, location and year, but also a check for $2,500, to be donated to the charity or charities of the winner's choice.

Last year's winner was Kim McMahon, president of McMahon's Best-One Tire & Auto Care in Fort Wayne, Ind. McMahon was the first woman individually to receive the award. In 2021, the dealership donated more than $100,000 to about 37 non-profit organizations.

The award process is similar to most prestigious awards: Most everyone is deserving of the award, but only one winner is selected. That's not to detract from others just as deserving.

That's why we urge folks to renominate candidates who weren't selected previously. Chances are, they are even more worthy than before.

While we are discussing awards, don't forget about another one we at TB sponsor: The Best Places to Work (BPTW) Survey.

The rules are simple. In order to participate, a business must:

• Be a retail, commercial, OTR, retread or wholesale tire dealership in the U.S. (publicly or privately held);

• Have a minimum of 15 full- or part-time permanent employees working in the U.S.; and

• Have been in in business a minimum of one year.

Among companies eligible are traditional independently owned retail or commercial tire dealerships; online tire businesses (such as Simple Tire, Tire Rack, etc.); franchised tire businesses (such as individual Tire Pros, Big O Tires, etc. franchisees); mass merchandisers with tire stores (such as Walmart Tire & Lube Express, etc.; individual stores not eligible); and wholesale clubs that sell tires (such as BJ's or Costco.)

Those companies not eligible include tire importers; tire manufacturer-owned tire stores; private-brand tire companies; software companies; and other aftermarket businesses that do not sell tires.

The deadline for this March 17, just a few days away. And it's free to sign up.

Best Companies Group (BCG), an independent research firm specializing in identifying and recognizing great places to work, once again will be conducting the survey. Tire Business and BCG names only those businesses that receive recognition. Others not named finalists remain anonymous.

The winner and finalists will be featured in the July 31st edition of Tire Business.

Complete the survey at bestplacestoworktb.com.

As Major League Baseball teams open spring training, we will be rooting for one player in particular.

Trey Benton, son of Rick Benton, has reported to Cleveland Guardians camp in Goodyear, Ariz., looking to impress the reigning American League Central Division champions.

Last year, the 24-year-old Benton pitched for the Lake County (Ohio) Captains, the high-A affiliate of the Guardians. The right-handed reliever finished his season with a 3-3 record and a 2.08 earned run average.

Rick Benton, vice president of sales and marketing for Whiteville, N.C.-based BTS, said his son is "looking good."

Trey Benton played his college baseball at East Carolina University, graduating from the ECU School of Business. The Indians drafted Benton in the 15th round of the 2019 draft.

Hopefully one day Benton will follow former Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, also the son of a tire dealer, into the Major Leagues.

Pedroia, as many MLB fans will remember, played 14 seasons (2006-2019), winning the American League (AL) Rookie of The Year Award in 2007 and AL Most Valuable Player and Silver Slugger Award in 2008. He was named to the All-Star team four times.

And speaking of the tire industry ties to Major League baseball, there are two more on the Guardians.

Josh Naylor and Bo Naylor are the sons of Chris Naylor, who works with Dynamic Tire Corp. in Brampton, Ontario. The Naylor family hails from nearby Mississauga, Ontario. Josh is a powerhitting first baseman and outfielder, while his younger brother, Bo, will compete for a major league roster spot as a catcher.

Be sure to check out our special online only section on the wholesale market.

The package will include several wholesale-related stories as well as our annual list of Major Wholesalers by Region.

Be sure to look for that at tirebusiness.com in late March.