Proud to Be a Tire Dealer: Shane Schmidt
When the U.S. economy slid into recession in 2007, many businesses struggled to survive. As the unemployment rate grew to 9.5% by June 2009, California was among the hardest hit states in the country with a jobless rate more than 10%. It was during that time that Shane Schmidt, owner of Schmidty’s Garage in Huntington
Welcome Club 3633
Charles Goodyear revolutionized the commercial rubber industry when he discovered vulcanization and filed patent U.S. 3633. The filing of this patent can be seen as a starting point for the modern tire industry. Throughout history others built upon Goodyear’s discovery: Robert W. Thompson, John Boyd Dunlop, André and Édouard Michelin, Frank Seiberling, Harvey Firestone and
Club 3633 Profile: Josh Hammett
Josh Hammett, 35 Store Manager Family Tire Pros Josh Hammett has been busy trying to change people’s negative experience in the tire industry by providing a great experience to his customers. “Business success is when you have earned a reputation for doing it right and doing it very, very well,” he explained. “Customers come in
Club 3633 Profile: Ron Mohler
Ron Mohler, 30 Commercial Development Manager Elgi Rubber Co. Ron Mohler never really has a normal day. Half of his time is spent getting new products to the market, and the rest is spent doing things like assisting in sales management for the brands offered by Elgi Rubber Co. “I enjoy the idea of technical
Club 3633 Profile: Robert Tinson
Robert Tinson, 38 National Account Manager Schrader Performance Sensors Robert Tinson comes from a long line of automotive aftermarket professionals, but recently joined the tire industry three years ago when he started working for Schrader Performance Sensors. As national account manager, it’s typical to find Tinson on the road, talking to customers or connecting with
Club 3633 Profile: Jacquie Hower
Jacquie Hower, 29 Director of Operations Zimmerman’s Automotive Service Inc. In April, Jacquie Hower watched Zimmerman’s Automotive Service’s Family Service Day unfold before her, later realizing that this would become one of the most defining moments of her career. Hower, who was in charge of the coordinating the event, says, “It was one of the
Club 3633 Profile: W. Rippetoe
W. Rippetoe, 39 Senior Technical Service and Training Representative Schrader Performance Sensors When W. Rippetoe started out as a volunteer firefighter, his assistant fire chief told him, “Keep your eyes open, your ears open and your mouth shut!” Since then, Rippetoe has followed his advice and he says he learns something new every time he
Club 3633 Profile: Adam Barfoot
Adam Barfoot, 34 Plant Manager Bridgestone Americas Aiken Country Plant Adam Barfoot joined Bridgestone Americas in 2004 as industrial engineer at the tiremaker’s LaVergne, Tenn., plant. Over the course of his career he’s worked at several of Bridgestone’s plants and is currently plant manager for its OTR facility in Aiken County, S.C. Barfoot has had
Club 3633 Profile: Jamie Bullis
Jamie Bullis, 30 Lead Technician Bridgestone Retail Operations After 11 years in the tire industry, Jamie Bullis defines success by the quality of the job and the satisfaction of her customers. She has plenty of accolades to reflect her hard work and success. She was the second female recipient of Bridgestone Retail Operation’s 2014 Automotive
Club 3633 Profile: Chris Blanchette
Chris Blanchette, 33 Director of Operations, Technical and Innovation, Bridgestone Retail Operations Blanchette thrives on opportunity. “One of the things that gets me up and running, is opportunity,” he says. “Opportunity for business, increased operational efficiency. Customer satisfaction. Customer delight. Employee opportunity.” Two years ago, he had the opportunity to join Bridgestone and has since
Club 3633 Profile: Kevin Gillingham
Kevin Gillingham, 44 Outside Account Manager American Tire Distributors Leaving a 20-year career at a law firm in Louisville, Ky., to join the tire industry was a big change for Kevin Gillingham. After receiving an offer to join American Tire Distributors in 2013, he took a chance, accepted the position and never looked back. “It
Club 3633 Profile: Zach Garrison
Zach Garrison, 31 General Manager Pendleton Tire Co. When the former owner of Pendleton Tire Co. asked Zach Garrison to start working while attending Clemson University, little did Garrison know he’d make a career out of it. Today, Garrison has many jobs, from his general managing duties to working as a salesman from time to