TIA’s Global Tire Expo-opening Tire Industry Honors event continued its tradition of shining the spotlight on hall of famers and award winners, and was the starting place for newly installed president Ken Brown to talk about his goals.

Emceed by TIA vice president Freda Pratt-Boyer, the event kicked off with Michelin North America sales director Marcus Williams announcing the three winners of the annual Michelin-TIA Scholarships. A total of $6,250 was awarded to the three students: Karli Gajdostik of Toledo, Ohio; Hannah Gipson of Prattville, Ala.; and Lauren Tucker of Lakewood, Calif.

New TIA president Ken Brown introduced the three inductees to the Tire Industry Hall of Fame: the late Lex Brodie, founder of Lex Brodie’s Tire Co. in Hawaii; Bob Dunlap, founder of Dunlap & Kyle in Batesville, Miss.; and Dick Johnson, retired chairman of American Tire Distributors. Greg Smith, publisher of Modern Tire Dealer, received the Ed Wagner Industry Leadership Award.

Tire Review formally presented 2013 Top Shop Award Winner Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair, which was represented by company owners Howard Fleischmann Sr.; Pat Fleischmann; Kim Sigman and Claude Case.

Outgoing president Randy Groh, who was honored by Modern Tire Dealer with its annual portrait, offered a look back at the successes and shortcomings of his term. On the plus side, Groh noted the progress made in government affairs efforts, the addition of 1,008 new members, and continual expansion of TIA core tire tech training efforts.

Of special emphasis, Groh noted TIA’s efforts at consumer tire education through dedicated materials and its online video series “Tire Safety Starts Here.” Thus far, three of a scheduled four videos have been completed.

One disappointment, Groh noted, was the inability to create “an industry standard” on tire aging. The effort to develop a wide-ranging standard was met with direct and indirect obstacles. TIA is pressing ahead with revised plans to accumulate tire service age policies from all of the tiremakers and vehicle makers and post that information on the TIA website to benefit dealers and consumers. Groh did not offer when he expected that to be completed.

Brown, for his part, said he plans to continue the work started by Groh and past presidents, and “build on the solid foundation of training and government affairs.”