The man instrumental in the development of Michelin North America’s T3 dealer program is leaving the tiremaker to become a tire dealer himself.

Dave Snyder will leave his post as vice president of Tire Centers LLC as of Mar. 31 to assume ownership of the six retail stores still owned by TCI. As CEO of DLS Tire Centers, Snyder will own and operate T3 locations in Boulder and Colorado Springs, Colo.; Elizabethtown, Ky.; Newark, Ohio; Kansas City, Mo.; and Waukesha, Wisc.

“Tire retailing is something I have been very passionate about for a long time,” Snyder said. “We look forward to the opportunity to rub shoulders with consumers on a daily basis.”

“This agreement is beneficial for both organizations,” said Joe Finney, TCI president and CEO. “It gives TCI the chance to focus completely on its commercial and distribution businesses, and it gives Dave, as a new customer of TCI, an opportunity to reach out and serve customers in these communities.”Snyder helped start Tire Centers in 1986 and has been involved in virtually every area of the business. His replacement at TCI will be named at a later date, Michelin said.