Don Detore, Editor at Tire Business, oversees the daily editorial operations of Tire Business, the leading trade magazine for the tire industry published by Crain Communications. Don also has experience as a managing editor, adjunct professor, and executive editor. Clint Young, President and Chief Operating Officer at Point S Tire and Auto Service,…

Mike Burns is the Sales Director at Independent Tire Dealers Group, a company that supports independent tire dealers across the US by providing competitive buying power and networking opportunities. Under Mike's leadership, ITDG has achieved a 40% increase in locations over the past four years, expanding to 1,174 points of sale. Originally from New…

Dustin Dobbs is the President of Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers, a family-owned business headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, specializing in tire and auto repair services. Under his leadership, Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers has expanded to over 50 locations across Missouri, Illinois, and Texas, continuing the legacy started by his grandfather in 1976. D…

Reed Parman is the President and Owner of Big Chief Tire, a company specializing in tire sales and auto services with five locations in Jacksonville, Florida. Big Chief Tire was founded in 1961, and Reed’s leadership has helped maintain its reputation for excellent customer service and long-term employee retention. Reed grew up in the tire business…

Jared Kugel is the CEO and Founder of Tire Agent, an innovative e-commerce platform revolutionizing how consumers purchase and install tires across the US. Tire Agent has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies, ranking #936 on the Inc. 5000 list, with Jared himself being a 2024 finalist in the New York area's Ernst & Young Entrepre…

Kermit Pridemore is Co-owner of Smoky Hill Auto Service in Aurora, Colorado, bringing years of family business experience into his own venture. Kermit's approach to business is heavily influenced by his father's lessons on identifying important priorities, championing impeccable customer service and trust-building in the automotive industry. With a…

Chris Barry is Vice President of Sales at Independent Tire Dealer Group. Since 1998, Chris has significantly contributed to the company's growth. He started his career selling incense door-to-door and later managed an athletic shop frequented by celebrities in Southern California. Chris transitioned into the tire industry with AKH Discount Tires, g…

David Brandenstein is the Key Account Manager at Prism Worldwide. Originally from Evansville, Indiana, David boasts a rich background in the chemical materials industry. He retired a few years ago before being lured back into the workforce by Prism. His career has been dedicated to supplying raw materials for daily-use products, leading him to purs…

Eric Gill is the President and CEO of Gills Point S Tire & Auto Service. A seasoned entrepreneur, Eric masterminded the expansion of Gills Point S Tire & Auto Service from a solitary tire store to 71 locations across 24 years. His background includes a marketing and accounting degree, state tax return filing for Weyerhaeuser’s corporate department …

Brandon Tracey is the President and Co-owner of Bay Area Point S Tire & Auto Service, which he started working for at the age of 16, initially sweeping floors at Yingling Tire Service before it was acquired by Bay Area. Under his leadership, Bay Area Point S grew and became part of the Point S network, significantly expanding its buying power and i…

Seth Sands is the Co-CEO of Good Turn Tire & Auto, a company with a portfolio of 14 brands and 35 locations across four states, including Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Michigan. With an early career in finance, investment banking, and private equity, Seth shifted gears to focus on family- and founder-owned businesses. He and his partner le…

James O'Reilly, the Vice President of Trail Tire, is a second-generation tire industry professional with 23 years of experience. With much of his career spent in wholesale, James has navigated the industry waters, inheriting his passion for the business from his father, who clocked in 43 years. He played competitive golf with dreams of turning pro …

Craig Bruneel is the Owner of Bruneel Point S Tire & Service, which operates 13 shops across Idaho, and holds the position of Chairman of the Board of Point S Tire & Service. Craig's tenure in the tire and auto service industry began in childhood, where his early exposure to the family business instilled a passion for entrepreneurship and service. …

Mike Allen is the entrepreneurial owner of Carfix, a three-shop operation in Raleigh and Garner in North Carolina. Serving as the President of the Board of Directors for the Automotive Service and Tire Alliance and hosting the annual ASTA Expo, Mike embodies third-generation excellence in the auto repair industry. With his grandfather founding a mu…

E. Red is the enterprising force behind the TV hit show Muscle and Classics, where he serves as producer, director, and star. Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, E. Red grew up in a large, car-loving family which set the foundation for his passion for the automotive industry. He has garnered extensive knowledge in car restoration and motorsports,…

Logan Wilks is the Vice President of Wilks Tire & Battery Service, a family-owned company with a rich history originating from the post-World War II era. Under his leadership, the company has nearly doubled its locations, expanding their footprint throughout Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, including two retread plants and a distribution center. He…

Chris Garman, Vice President of Business Development at Sun Auto Tire & Service, built up his family's auto service business from three to nine stores before selling to Sun Auto in 2019. He leads the company's mergers and acquisitions, significantly expanding its footprint. Tommy Gaynor, Director of Mergers and Acquisitions at Sun Auto, joined the …

Mike Graber is the President and CEO of Toyo Tires, a role he has embraced with vigor since joining the company in 2013. With a foundation in truck part sales and an eight-year tenure in various roles at Michelin, Mike's experience spans across the industry from sales to product development. In addition to a passionate commitment to product quality…

Joe Inchiostro is the Owner and CEO of St. Louis Wholesale Tire. His cousin, John Inchiostro, is Operations Manager. The company is renowned for providing hard-to-find tires and other specialty products in the automotive industry. Their fathers founded St. Louis Wholesale Tire, which started in their living room and eventually grew into an enterpri…

Steven Fafel, Co-founder of AutoOps, has innovatively shaped the automotive service industry through his online scheduling tool that integrates with most shop management systems. With a background in building software for rock climbing gyms with his brother, Steven pivoted to AutoOps to address a need for better customer engagement and streamlined …

Neal Maier is Co-founder of Tread Partners, an agency that specializes in marketing for the tire and auto repair industry. With a history of running shops and an entrepreneurial spirit, Neal has developed a nuanced understanding of the challenges businesses face in customer acquisition and retention. His expertise is in creating tailored marketing …

Nick Fox is the Regional Manager of Gills Point S Tire & Auto, holding the role for over nine years. His dedication to continuous improvement, coupled with a strong work ethic and self-motivation, sets him apart. Nick's profound product knowledge and customer-centric approach foster unparalleled loyalty and satisfaction, reflecting his commitment t…

Randy O'Connor, Owner of Dealer to Dealer Development Group, is a strategic specialist known for his prowess in analyzing and enhancing processes. With a track record spanning roles at Colony Tire, American Tire Distributors-Tire Pros, DSP20 Group, and Big Brand Tire and Service, Randy brings a wealth of experience to the table. He leverages his ex…

Douglas Kershaw is the Executive Vice President of KAL Group, a freight and truck parts company with numerous divisions. Prior to joining KAL Group, Douglas had an extensive career in the tire industry, previously serving as President of BKT Tires in North America. With his diverse background spanning television broadcasting, the rubber industry, a…

Cody Hammer is the Area Sales Manager for Trusted Tire and Auto in Bismarck, N.D. Despite not having an automotive background, Cody's career path shifted from construction to sales after being inspired by a radio advertisement featuring the general manager of Trusted Tire. With a natural gift for communication and a deep-seeded desire to positively…

Brian Quisenberry is Vice President at S&S Tire. Known for his responsive and dependable leadership style, Brian prides himself on his ability to deliver results and fulfill commitments through a blend of enablement and tenacity. With over 25 years of diverse experience, he has honed his skills as a coachable and loyal teammate, always ready to lea…

Stephen Kantarze, is the Program Director of The Veterans Trust. He joined the US Army in 2008 as an infantryman, serving his countries in numerous capacities including a tour in Iraq. He was deeply impacted by his role as a casket team leader at Arlington National Cemetery, where conducted over a thousand funerals and ceremonies. As part of The Ve…

David Bennett, Repair Systems Manager at AAA, brings over 37 years of dedicated service to the company. Originally from the Washington DC area, David's career journey began at a young age, marked by early experiences as a paperboy, at a gas station, and in food service. His passion for automotive work ignited during high school, where he received v…

Baker Ghanim is the President of Tire Store Service Center in Bedford, Texas. Under his leadership, Tire Store Service Center opened nine locations in its first 10 years, with a goal of ultimately opening 50. Baker is also the Founder of oTo Solutions, where customers can easily order tires online. With his background in business management and cus…

Brooke Johnson is a dedicated Customer Service Representative at McMahon's Best-One Tire. With a prior background in the food industry which spanned a decade, Brooke brings a refreshing perspective to her role, marked by honesty and a strong work ethic. Despite her initial unfamiliarity with the tire industry, Brooke's commitment to learning and se…

Lee McWilliams is the store manager for Midas in Eden Prairie, Minn., where he oversees a customer service team in the automotive repair industry. With a keen understanding of the pivotal role customer interaction plays, Lee emphasizes the importance of empathy and adaptability in his role. Raised in a family where small-town values translated to w…

Darren McLea is a tire sales trainer and the Founder of DJM Solutions, specializing in tire sales, repairs, and elevating the customer experience within the tire and auto repair industry. With a passion for fostering growth in automotive businesses, Darren provides comprehensive sales and operational training while delivering consistent coaching fe…

Walter Lybeck is the CEO of Point S Tire and Auto Service. Originally from McMinnville, Oregon, growing up in a tight-knit community instilled in Walter a strong work ethic from a young age, starting with his first paying job mowing lawns. His path eventually led him through various roles in the service industry, including a memorable stint at Burg…

Heather Langdon is a Customer Service Representative at Gerald's Tires & Brakes. Heather's journey into the tire business began when she applied for a position at Gerald’s to help her husband buy a motor for his trucking company, soon becoming an integral part of the customer service team. Born and raised in Charleston, Heather brings a deep unders…

Clint and Clay Watts are the third-generation owners of Gerald's Tires & Brakes in Charleston, South Carolina. Their grandfather, fondly known as "Big Daddy," instilled in them the ethos of hard work and adaptability. From their humble beginnings transforming old gas stations into tire stores to evolving with the market's demands, Clint and Clay ex…

Charles Vickery brings over a decade of tire expertise to his role as Store Manager at Beggs Tire & Wheel. Hailing from Prineville, Oregon, his journey in the tire industry began in the small town where the choices were clear-cut: either work at a mill or dive into the world of tires. Inspired by the legacy of Les Schwab, Charles started as a tire …

Danny Smith is the CEO of Same Day Auto Repair. With a background in the auto industry that spans over 28 years, Danny's career began in high school, working for Chevrolet and steadily advancing through various roles. Despite his family not being in the industry, Danny's strong work ethic and determination led him to master different aspects of the…

Scott Blair is the creator, host, and an instructor at T.R.A.C.K. Auto Training and Network. He is also Managing Partner of 2U Tire of Alabama and Co-founder of 2U Mobile Solutions. His automotive journey began in 1993, diving into the industry with American Racing Custom Wheels. In the late ‘90s, Scott developed and patented the Wheel Fit, a speci…

Jeff Mullersman is the Midwest Sales Director at ATTURO Tires, with 25 years of experience in the tire industry. Jeff’s automotive career is full of twists and turns, beginning with getting ripped off sweeping a go-kart parking lot. Undeterred, Jeff became a driver for Progressive Custom Wheels before moving on to sales, eventually running his own …

Hunt Demarest is Senior Accountant at Paar, Melis & Associates, an accounting and tax firm specializing in automotive repair shops. Hunt is a seasoned CPA with a passion for optimizing team management and development, empowering shop owners with financial insights that drive greater success for their businesses. Armed with an economics degree from …

Todd Hayes is the Chief Operating Officer of Adams Automotive and Co-founder of Auto Shop Answers. At age 26 Todd founded a company, successfully growing it into a chain of stores that he later sold to a venture capital group. Having been perfecting business models since 1986, Todd's expertise led him to coalesce with partners including Perry Adams…

George Kingman is Founder and CEO of both Advanced Shop Leadership and BlueSky Tire and Auto Service, a burgeoning chain of stores with five locations in under five years. After beginning his journey in the tire and automotive industry as a teenage tire tech, George took a 17-year hiatus where he managed two businesses and held a senior analyst rol…

Charles Mesones, Partner at Cook's Tire & Service, has been a dedicated professional in the tire and auto repair Industry for over 25 years, following in the footsteps of his father who managed a competing company during the 1980s. Charles' journey began as a teenager, working under his father's guidance, where he learned valuable life and business…

Keegan Wentz is the President of McMahon's Automotive Technology Center, a family-owned service and repair shop based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His vision and dedication have transformed the company into a pioneering institution for automotive technician training and career development. Under his leadership, McMahon’s has implemented a comprehensive …

Don Detore is the Editor of Tire Business, an industry trade magazine published by Crain Communications, and has over 35 years of journalism experience. Geoff Doster is the President of Linglong Tires, spearheading the brand’s North American growth initiatives. George Kingman is the Founder of Advanced Shop Leadership, a group of consultants focuse…

Randy O'Connor is the Owner of Dealer to Dealer (D2D) Development Group, which offers financial and operational consulting for the independent tire and auto service market in North America. The company's primary offering is a business growth strategy rooted in peer-to-peer networks, specifically the 20 Group format. Randy's strength lies in strateg…

Michael Chung is the Senior Director of Market Intelligence at Auto Care Association, where he spearheads market research initiatives for the automotive aftermarket sector. He plays a pivotal role in keeping industry members informed about market trends, primarily through monthly content, the promotion of a comprehensive industry data platform, and…

Cody Lang is Vice President of Sales at Tire Solutions. He embarked on his journey in the tire industry from a young age, inspired by his father's passion for the trade. From playful childhood memories of "playing tire store" with Matchbox cars to overcoming challenges as a young salesperson in a seasoned industry, Cody’s dedication is evident. His…

Giorgio Andonian is the Managing Director at FOCUS Investment Banking. Since joining the company in 2019, he has been instrumental in guiding mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, and capital raises for middle-market businesses in the Consumer and Automotive Aftermarket sectors. Prior to FOCUS, Giorgio served as vice president of 55 Inc. in Sou…

Don Detore is the Editor of Tire Business, an industry trade magazine published by Crain Communications. Before this, he began his tenure at Rubber & Plastics News in March 2013 as a copy editor and was later promoted to managing editor. With over 35 years in journalism, Don has held significant roles at The Repository in Canton, including sports e…