TBC hires Sysco exec to head NTW; Byrd moving to TBC corporate role

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — TBC Corp. has hired Sysco Corp. sales executive Rodger Smith as president and COO of National Tire Wholesale (NTW), its wholesale distribution division.

He succeeds Don Byrd, who's being promoted to president and COO of TBC Purchasing Co.

Mr. Smith, vice president, national sales, at Sysco for the past five years, will oversee all NTW-related sales initiatives with a goal of having NTW recognized as the service provider and distributor of choice in the markets in which it competes.

TBC CEO Erik Olsen cited Mr. Smith's "purpose-driven leadership style, strategic planning experience and extensive sales background" as strengths that will help him lead NTW as it grows and to "identify areas of opportunity to exceed customer expectations."

TBC said Mr. Smith is a strategic- and results-oriented senior sales executive specializing in the packaged goods and food service sectors with extensive experience in P&L oversight, strategic planning, account/territory management, customer service, financial forecasting, business development, sales management, team coaching and mentoring, and marketing.

Prior to his tenure with Sysco, he held account sales leadership positions with Campbell Soup Co.'s Pepperidge Farm subsidiary, Oberto Sausage Co. and PepsiCo.

Mr. Byrd, who joined TBC in April 2018 as part of the deal that created NTW out of TBC's Carroll Tire and Michelin North America's TCi Tire Centers wholesale assets, is filling a position that's opening due to the pending retirement of Glen Gravatt, who has directed TBC Purchasing Co. for the past 12 years.

Mr. Olsen lauded Mr. Gravatt for his "entrepreneurial spirit, leadership style, hardworking nature and overall outlook" and said he'll be missed both by his TBC colleagues as well as TBC's supplier partners and by the industry.

Prior to joining TBC, Mr. Byrd held leadership roles in distribution, operations and marketing for Michelin North America and Procter & Gamble.

Messrs. Gravatt and Byrd will work together over the next six months on a seamless transition in leadership.

"Don understands the importance of supplier relationships, teamwork and, most importantly, the culture of TBC and the TBC Purchasing Company," Mr. Gravatt said. "I am confident that, under his leadership, the TBC Purchasing Company will continue to thrive and support TBC initiatives throughout all business units for years to come."