The board members were selected from a competitive slate of candidates, with voting concluding on September 1
Bowie, Md.—The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has announced the election of four members to its board of directors for the 2024-2027 term and the appointment of one member to fill a vacant position for the 2024-2025 term.
Joining the board for a three-year term are:
- Gary Schroeder of Bob Sumerel Tire Co.
- John Sparks of Sparks Commercial Tire, Inc.
- Sarah Mason of Fountain Tire
- Chris Rhoades of BKT Tires
Additionally, Jeff Campbell of Tire Discounters will serve a one-year term to fill the vacancy created by Gary MacCausland’s move to the position of Secretary.
These board members were selected from a competitive slate of candidates, with voting concluding on September 1.
“TIA is thrilled to welcome these accomplished industry leaders to our board of directors,” said TIA CEO Richard “Dick” Gust. “Their diverse expertise and perspectives will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission of promoting tire safety, technician training, and industry advocacy. We look forward to their contributions and leadership.”
The new directors will officially take office on Monday, November 4, during TIA’s Annual Membership Meeting, held in conjunction with the Global Tire Expo/SEMA show in Las Vegas.
New Board Members’ Bios
Gary Schroeder – Bob Sumerel Tire Co.
Schroeder is Executive Vice President at Bob Sumerel Tire Co. Bob Sumerel Tire Co. markets commercial tire products and service solutions across 22 commercial stores, 5 retread plants and one wheel reconditioning plant.
Prior to joining Bob Sumerel Tire Co. Schroeder was Executive Director Global TBR (truck and bus radial) business for Cooper Tire & Rubber Co, which was acquired by Goodyear. He has 35 years of experience in sales and marketing, operations, and finance, including 20 years in the tire industry. Schroeder has been a featured speaker at tire dealer conferences and presented tire-related matters to the International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C.
With 25 years in executive-level positions, he has gained experience in creating and leading high-performing teams. Schroeder stated he believes his experience as a tire dealer as well as working with dealers, OEMs, and fleets while at Cooper Tire, and his positive results in the business demonstrate his ability to contribute and lead across different groups.
John Sparks – Sparks Commercial Tire Service, Inc.
Sparks is the President of Sparks Commercial Tire, Inc., where he brings expertise garnered over three decades in the tire industry. As a second-generation independent tire dealer, Sparks’ is a TIA Level 400 CTS and ETS instructor, and he said he is dedicated to advancing industry standards and promoting excellence in safety and training. His passion for safety extends particularly to the Earthmover segment, where he focuses his efforts on ensuring the well-being of both employees and clients.
Sarah Mason – Fountain Tire
Mason is a dedicated Safety Manager at Fountain Tire, with a decade of experience fostering a culture of safety awareness and spearheading initiatives to reduce workplace incidents. Her achievements include digitizing a large portion of Fountain Tire’s Safety Program, obtaining Certificates of Recognition across multiple locations, and leading a project to revamp training and certification for new hires.
With 15 years at Fountain Tire and 10 years exclusively on the safety team, Mason was promoted to Safety Manager in 2022 and oversees safety for 185 locations and 2,600 associates across Canada, directly managing a team of four safety specialists who travel nationwide. She stays informed of legislative changes and participates in continuing education to advance her skills. Mason also facilitates safety training sessions, investigates incidents, and leads safety initiatives, ensuring proper causes and corrective actions are identified.
Chris Rhoades – BKT Tires
Rhoades, Vice President for BKT Tires, currently has 25 years of OTR tire industry experience between BKT and Bridgestone. He was the historical product manager of Bridgestone’s TreadStat, developer of BKT’s SPOTech field evaluation solution, a 2018 TIA Off-the-Road Tire Conference Keynote Speaker, and 2020 TIA panelist in a session on the next generation of OTR experts.
Rhoades seeks to bring the end user, dealer, and manufacturer to the same table to look at data and analyze ways to improve tire performance and productivity. He calls himself a problem solver who listens and wants to leverage the wisdom of the experience with the technical innovations of the day.
Jeff Campbell – Tire Discounters
Campbell brings nearly 30 years of experience to his role as Chief Supply Officer for Tire Discounters. Having worked across companies such as NTW, NTB, Sears, Monro, and now Tire Discounters, Campbell has gained knowledge and expertise in the tire industry. As the chairman of the board for AMRA/MAP, he leadership is characterized by his commitment to the industry’s advancement.
In his current position on the AMRA board, Campbell serves as a mentor, collaborator, and supporter of fellow board members, fostering a culture of growth and innovation. Campbell said his vision for the tire industry centers on the importance of training and safety, recognizing that employee and customer education are paramount
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