BOWIE, Md. — The reins of leadership at the Tire Industry Association (TIA) have passed to South Dakota tire dealer Dan Nothdurft — virtually, thanks to modern teleconferencing technology.
In the group's first-ever online annual meeting held Oct. 27, TIA members welcomed Mr. Nothdurft and five other new board members to the group's executive ranks. Mr. Nothdurft, president of Tires, Tires, Tires in South Dakota and Iowa, accepted the ceremonial president's gavel from outgoing President Brian Rigney.
Such is association life during a pandemic.
Mr. Rigney, president of Dill Air Controls Products of Oxford, N.C., noted TIA's annual meeting would normally take place the day before the opening of TIA's Global Tire Expo and the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
But not this year, as TIA leadership bellied up to their computer screens to conduct business via Zoom.
Along with transferring the presidency to Mr. Nothdurft, TIA also installed new board members during the meeting. Serving three-year terms will be:
- Tim BeVier, national account business development manager for Technical Rubber Co. of Johnstown, Ohio. "TIA feels his ability to work with so many individuals in the industry has given him a unique understanding of customer issues, concerns and expectations," Mr. Nothdurft said.
- Brad Feeney, director of commercial programs for TBC Corp. in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. "Brad is passionate about environmental sustainability, attracting new talent and the future technologies of the tire industry. He sees service on the TIA board as a positive way to have a voice to affect change in the industry," Mr. Nothdurft said.
- Brandy Sielaff, human resources and safety director for Commercial Tire of Meridian, Idaho. "She also has prior experience in food manufacturing, which she credits for giving her both an understanding of operations communications, training and efficiency and invaluable outside perspective which she is excited to bring to the TIA Board of Directors," Mr. Nothdurft said.
- Scott Weeden, acting vice president of sales for Barnwell House of Tires in Central Islip, N.Y. "Scott holds his service on the TIA board furthers a continued development of ways to keep tire technicians, drives and pedestrians safe on and off the road," Mr. Nothdurft said.
In addition, Travis Glidden, regional sales manager for Stellar Industries Inc. of Garner, Iowa, will be serving a two-year term, filling a vacancy created on the 18-member group when Jim Pangle of Fountain Tire was elected board secretary earlier this year, TIA said.
"(Mr. Glidden's) experience has given him a good understanding of the industry and its challenges, including safety considerations and lack of formal training," Mr. Nothdurft said. "He hopes to see TIA training classes to become a more-prevalent industry standard and a requirement for all tire service technicians." Mr. Nothdurft said.
TIA Treasurer Mike Wolfe also briefly talked about the association's financial position amid the challenges of COVID-19.
"The 2020 fiscal year has been challenging, but we have protectively made budget adjustments to minimize costs. Our reserve account balance has remained strong, and we are well-positioned to weather this pandemic without impacting the level of service to our members," Mr. Wolfe said.
"As always, the executive committee and the board of directors will continue to monitor TIA's financials and we'll make any necessary adjustments to keep the association in a solid financial position," Mr. Wolfe, co-owner of Southeastern Wholesale Tire Co. of Raleigh, N.C., said.
The TIA membership also passed a resolution declaring that the association build on the group's 100-year history and "continually strive to become a recognized, consistent, meaningful and trusted international retail voice and leader in the global tire industry."
