Beth Barron, 45
Vice President of OperationsChabill’s Tire and Auto Service
Beth Barron started working in her family’s business straight out of college. The job was intended to be temporary as she decided what she wanted to do next. Twenty-four years later, Barron has climbed the ladder to her current role at Chabill’s Tire and Auto Service.
“At this point in her life, she knows a lot more about this industry than I ever did,” says Charley Gowland, Barron’s father and founder of Chabill’s Tire. “She’s gathered the respect of our entire staff and core vendor partners. Chabill’s is very fortunate to have her leading the team.”
Over the years Beth moved up from clerical work to vice president of operations for the 14-location Louisiana-based dealership.
“I find the tire industry really interesting. It’s constantly changing,” she says. “There is always new technology, new competition. And, there are always new challenges. You can’t just sit back and say, ‘This is going to run like a well-oiled machine.’ There are just too many pieces to it,” Barron says.
Barron’s duties at Chabill’s are vast and varied. She’s in charge of company advertising, supervising store managers and overseeing office administration and vendor relationships. Since it’s a family business, Barron says she will wear whatever hat necessary to get the job done.
“It’s always been interesting to go to work every day,” she says. “I guess I’ve never had the same day twice, and generally whatever you set out to be your day is never the day you end up with.”
In addition to her duties for the dealership, Barron is a member of Michelin’s Advisory Council.
FUN FACT: If Barron could be any animated character she’d be Ariel because she collects things. “I collect my gadgets and gizmos and never want to give any of it away or get rid of any of it,” she says.
