The Tire Industry Association has announced the inductees of the 2012 Tire Industry Hall of Fame: Randy Clark, chairman and president of Dunn Tire; Bruce Halle, Discount Tire founder; Paul Kruder, founder of Computerized Information and Management Services (CIMS); and Pete Veldman, Tire Rack founder.
In addition, the association named two recipients of the 2012 Ed Wagner Industry Leadership Award: Steve Akridge, executive director of the Virginia Automotive Association; and Reece Hester, executive director of the North Carolina Tire Dealers Association.
Randy Clark has represented the tire industry on many levels throughout his long and prestigious career. A thorough businessman, Clark has been an integral leader in a multitude of successful companies such as a regional healthcare company, two publicly traded companies, and AAA of WNY. He was chairman at Dunlop Tire North America, but his most notable accomplishment is as the current chairman and president of Dunn Tire LLC. Clark has helped the business grow to one of the largest independent tire dealerships in the country. Dunn Tire has made strides in philanthropy, as well. With Clark at the helm, Dunn Tire has lead annual Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns, yearly holiday food drives, and notable donations to disaster relief efforts. Randy Clark was named “Niagara Frontier Executive of the Year” by the University at Buffalo (N.Y.) School of Management.
Bruce Halle opened his first tire shop 52 years ago, and Discount Tire has become a shining example of success as the largest independent tire and wheel retailer in the world, with over 840 locations in 23 states. The book “Six Tires, No Plan: The Impossible Journey of the Most Inspirational Leader that (Almost) Nobody Knows” gives a thorough account of Halle’s success story. The company is well represented outside the industry, as well. Discount Tire’s No. 22 car, driven by Brad Keselowski, won the Nationwide Series Championship in 2010, and its “Thank You” commercial currently holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest consecutively running commercial. The Bruce T. Halle Scholarship has provided over 1,300 scholarships to dependents of Discount Tire employees. The Bruce T. Halle Family Foundation has given its support to a number of organizations, including the Children First Academy, the largest school for homeless children in the country.
Paul Kruder got his start in the tire industry in 1953 with Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., where he represented the organization in Liberia, West Africa. In 1971, Mr. Kruder decided to fully devote himself to bettering the tire industry by establishing his own company, Computerized Information and Management Services, Inc. (CIMS). His efforts in this new enterprise soon revolutionized the tire industry by creating an easy and efficient method to register highway tires. His company represents 80% of the manufacturers who sell tires in the United States today. He remained an active president and CEO of CIMS until his death in 2009. In addition, he also worked to actively promote and support tire dealers and manufacturers. He communicated closely with multiple industry officials to improve tire safety, training and understanding.
Pete Veldman was skeptical when first approached with the idea of creating a mail-order tire company. After entering the business, he quickly saw the need for customers to acquire specialty tires easily and efficiently. The resulting company, Tire Rack, has remained the leader in the mail-order tire business to this day – testing, selling and shipping tires from over 17 major manufacturers, with the focus on providing the optimum in customer service and convenience. He also was ahead of the game in implementing new marketing plans, making sure that Tire Rack was one of the first tire companies to have an online presence in 1996. Today, the company’s website has over 50 million viewers annually, more than any other tire company and more than most automakers. Veldman has taken a hands-on approach to the safety of customers by supporting such initiatives as the Tire Rack Street Survival program, a national, hands-on driver education course for teens founded by the BMW CCA.
Ed Wagner Industry Leadership Award
Steve Akridge began his career in the tire industry at the early age of 16, working after school and Saturdays as a tire changer at a Goodyear company-owned store in Richmond, Va. Upon his graduation in 1976 from the University of Richmond, he held various positions with Goodyear, and then with a family-owned tire and automotive shop. Through these experiences, he learned first hand the day-to-day issues our industry faces. He also became involved with the Virginia Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (now known as the Virginia Automotive Association) as a member of its Board of Directors and in 1990 became executive director, the position he still holds today. Under his leadership, the VAA has developed numerous beneficial membership programs. He has also served as the president of the Virginia Society of Association Executives, on the Tire Industry Association Board of Directors, and as president of his local youth athletic association.
Reece Hester lives and works in the capitol city of Raleigh, N.C. He is a former second generation tire dealer who co-owned Tire Supply Inc., the family’s commercial/retail/retreading dealership of 38 years before being sold. Afterwards, Hester became the executive director of the North Carolina Tire Dealers Association (NCTDA). He served on the NCTDA Board of Directors and as its president. He is currently on the TIA Board of Directors and is the liaison to the States/Provincial group and is a past chairman of Tire Industry Association Executives (TIAE). His responsibilities include being a registered legislative lobbyist, growing the State Expo/Trade Show, and providing benefits and services supporting industry-related businesses. Hester is a past president and member of the Exchange Club and serves on the Board of Human Rights at Murdoch Developmental Center.
“The TIA Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements of innovators and leaders who have shaped the tire industry over the past century,” TIA stated. “By honoring the individual accomplishments of manufacturers, dealers, retreaders and suppliers, TIA celebrates the diversity and rich history of the tire industry.”
Hall of Fame inductions will take place prior to the 2012 SEMA Show/Global Tire Expo during TIA’s annual Tire Industry Honors event, which will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29 at The Cosmopolitan hotel in Las Vegas. Admission to the event is free, but an RSVP is required. For information and to register, visit the “Events” section of www.tireindustry.org or call 800-876-8372.
