TIA board meeting: Earthmover training to be updated

LAS VEGAS — The Tire Industry Association (TIA) installed its next president and new board members, and updated members on the latest initiatives at the organization during the TIA Board of Directors meeting at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas on Monday.

TIA CEO Dick Gust the tire group "ended the 2022 fiscal year operationally in the black, which is very, very good performance."

Gust said TIA is making investments, though with a conservative approach.

"We've made a healthy reserve account, which is extremely important, to carry out our mission."

Outgoing TIA President Jim Pangle passed the gavel to incoming President Keith Jarman. Jarman, president at AME International, has been in the tire industry for 30 years.

"Jim has really contributed significantly to make our association and the industry better …" Gust said of Pangle. "He's just given us a wonderful study and his method of managing is very critical."

TIA installed six new board members at the meeting.

Joining the board for three-year terms are: Josephine Foley of Sullivan Tire & Automotive Service Inc., Norwell, Mass.; Glen Nicholson of Midas International L.L.C., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; incumbent Brandy Sielaff of Business First Solutions, Meridian, Idaho; and Craig Stevens of Big Horn Tire, Gillette, Wyo.

"We really look forward to working with these new board members," Gust said. "A lot of new disciplines from various segments of our industry."

Important initiatives Gust highlighted during the meeting include the continued push of Right to Repair legislation and updating TIA's earthmover training.

"Right to Repair remains our top priority," he said.

"Today's modern vehicles are equipped with advanced technologies that monitor and control nearly every function," Gust said. "It is essential that our industry has access to the critical repair tools and information necessary to service these vehicles safely and properly."

Gust said "a significant increase in accidents and even deaths in earthmoving" has prompted TIA to revisit its Earthmover Tire Service (ETS) training program. The ETS program is going to be updated in 2024 and released in 2025.

The updated training will address servicing assemblies with a crane or sling.

TIA's certified ATS program was updated this year and is scheduled for release the third quarter of 2024.

The basic CTS program has been translated into Spanish and will be released third quarter 2024. Gust said the certified CTS training will be translated into Spanish and is expected to be released in 2025.