Freda Pratt-Boyer took the reins of the Tire Industry Association, becoming just the third woman to serve as president of the group in its nine-decade history.

The senior auditor at Purcell Tire & Rubber Co. accepted the gavel from outgoing president Ken Brown during TIA’s annual general meeting, held Nov. 3 at Caesars Palace.

Also during the meeting, members in attendance approved the minutes from last year’s general meeting, as well as the treasurer’s report. TIA treasurer Tom Formaneck reported that the association “remains in the black,” that membership totals “remain strong,” and that the association has solid cash reserves.

The association recognized the efforts of outgoing board members Gary Albright, John Derringer, Robert Frick, Randy Groh, Brett Matschke and Steve Zimmerman. Joining the board will be recently elected Steve Burhenn of Becker Tire & Treading Inc., Great Bend, Kan.; Daniel Childers of Tire Centers Inc., Duncan, S.C.; John Evankovich of Sam’s Club, Bentonville, Ark.; Robert Hendry of 31 Inc., Newcomerstown, Ohio; Chris Monroe of Monroe Tire & Services, Shelby, N.C.; and Jason Williams of Jack Williams Tire Co., Scranton, Pa. Alpio Barbara of Redwood General Tire Pros in Redwood City, Calif., was named to fill the unexpired board term of Mike Wolfe of Southeastern Wholesale Tire, who was elected as TIA treasurer.

The members present also approved a pair of resolutions, one urging Congress to pass a long-term solution to federal highway funding that is “fair and reasonable to the industry and small business relations,” and the other to push for passage of “periodic safety inspection programs in both individual states and on the national level.”