LAS VEGAS — The Tire Industry Association (TIA) plans to honor the legacy of the late retreading industry expert Marvin Bozarth by establishing the Marvin Bozarth ETS (earthmover tire service) Technician of the Year award.
Bozarth, who died in 2022, was considered one of the retreading industry's foremost technical experts. He was a member of the Retreaders Hall of Fame and Tire Industry Hall of Fame and led the American Retreaders' Association (ARA) and its successor organization, the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA), for a decade.
During his tenure at ARA/ITRA, the association expanded and improved its retread and tire repair training programs. Bozarth also served as editor of The Tire Repair & Retread Journal and co-authored the book "Tire Essentials."
He served as TIA's senior technical consultant from 2002 until his retirement in 2018.
Bozarth's hands-on approach and dedication to technician education laid the groundwork for what has become TIA's training and certification platform, TIA President Keith Jarman said during the 2024 OTR Tire Conference in Las Vegas.
"We want to celebrate the technicians who are out there servicing OTR tires and wheels," Jarman said. "It is my honor to announce that TIA will be recognizing the Marvin Bozarth ETS Technician of the Year at next year's conference."
The 2025 OTR Tire Conference will be held Feb. 19-22 at the Sheraton hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Eligibility for the award requires TIA membership and completion of the 200-Level Commercial Tire Service (CTS) and Earthmover Tire Service (ETS) programs.
Each TIA member company can nominate one OTR technician, with finalists selected by the TIA board of directors and the winner chosen by an anonymous committee comprising OTR manufacturers and suppliers.
"The winner will receive the rock star treatment they so richly deserve," Jarman said. "TIA will cover their registration, hotel accommodations, travel expenses and taxes, flying them and a guest to the 2025 OTR Tire Conference."
TIA is seeking sponsors for the award. Sponsorships are available for $1,000, with surplus funds allocated towards TIA training scholarships for the year, determined by the selection committee.
"Marvin was the strongest supporter of technician training and education in the early days," Jarman said. "With the support of the people in this room, we can honor his memory by recognizing an OTR technician who embodies everything that he stood for."
For more information on sponsorship opportunities and award details, email [email protected].