While Nov. 5 marked the official opening of the Global Tire Expo – Powered by TIA, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) kicked off the week of the 2019 SEMA Show with its annual meeting and Tire Industry Honors Ceremony.
During the annual meeting, outgoing TIA President John Evankovich passed the gavel to Brian Rigney, who will take over the post.
At its Tire Industry Honors Ceremony, TIA honored Hall of Fame recipients Brent Hesje, CEO of Fountain Tire, and the late Frank Holeman, former director of the Tire Industry Safety Council. The organization also recognized Edward A. Burleson Sr., president and owner of Central Marketing, with the Ed Wagner Leadership Award for his dedication and contributions to the industry.
See photos from the TIA ceremonies below.
Pictured are Brent Hesje, who was inducted into the 2019 Tire Industry Hall of Fame (left) and Ed Burleson, who received the Ed Wagner Leadership Award.
Pictured are Tire Review Editor Mary DellaValle and Alpio Barbara, owner of Redwood General Tire and recipient of this year’s Top Shop award.
Pictured is Eugene Beck, 2014 Hall of Fame inductee and tire industry veteran.
Pictured is Ed Burleson, president and owner of Central Marketing Inc., who accepted the Ed Wagner Leadership Award.
Doug Kershaw, vice president of BKT (left), presented TIA members with a $5,000 check for the TIA Foundation.
Pictured are Don Vanderheyden, director of marketing for Hennessy Industries (left) and Alpio Barbara, owner of Redwood General Tire and this year’s Tire Review Top Shop recipient.
Brent Hesje, CEO of Fountain Tire Ltd., was inducted into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame.
Tire Review Editor Mary DellaValle presents the Top Shop trophy to Alpio Barbara, owner of Redwood General Tire.
Alpio Barbara, owner of Redwood General Tire in California, accepts his Top Shop trophy from Tire Review.
Giti Tire revealed the winners of its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Competition in Chester County, SC, where the company's first North American manufacturing facility stands.
Winners included Great Falls Elementary School in the Elementary Division; Chester Middle School in the Middle School Division; and Lewisville High School in the High School Division.
The tires are labeled as snow tires, but do not have sufficient traction to perform in all snow weather conditions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The association said these workshops are designed to enhance technician’s technical expertise and keep them up-to-date with the latest industry advancements.
