Gain Traction

Jesse Jackson is the co-founder and operator of Mango Automotive, a multi-location auto repair group running eight shops across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. After a career in software, Jesse pivoted into the trades alongside her partner Brian, building Mango into a regional operator focused on acquiring auto repair shops from retiring owners whose businesses are already profitable but under-mar...

Jim Sennett is the manager of repair programs at AAA (American Automobile Association), where he oversees the Approved Auto Repair network of roughly 6,000 shops across the country, about 5,000 independents and 1,000 dealerships, along with the club's emerging technologies work on EVs and hybrids. He came up through Goodyear, starting as a tire changer and working through alignment tech, service a...

Joe Happel, Desiree Elliott, Steve Towers, Charlie Alexander, Tim & Terri Hollander, and Gary Skidmore represent a cross-section of some of the most experienced operators and leaders within Big O Tires. From Hall of Fame-level leadership and second-generation ownership to multi-state expansion and corporate strategy, each brings decades of real-world experience in building, scaling, and sustai...

Peter Greenberg — owner of City Tire Co ., a business operating since 1927 with a long-standing presence in retail, commercial, and retread segments. With decades of industry experience, he brings a strong perspective on vendor relationships, buying group strategy, and the operational decisions shaping how independent tire dealers compete today. David Zeller — owner of Zeller Tire & Auto Cente...

Jeff Webster is the owner of Take Ten Tire Service , with nearly three decades in the tire industry. He has expanded his operations beyond Oklahoma through recent acquisitions and is an active member of the Independent Tire Dealers Group, where he values long-term relationships and peer collaboration. Josh Porter is the owner of Lex Brodie’s Tire Company on the Big Island of Hawaii, where he opera...

Phil Carpenter is the Director of Operations at Urban Autocare and Avalon Motorsports , overseeing seven locations in the Denver, Colorado area. He began his career as a technician and became the first employee in what was once a two-person shop, eventually helping grow the business into a 55-person operation. His experience spans every stage of scaling an auto repair shop; from turning wrenches t...

Adam Dixon is the Director of Operations at Urbs Garage , a multi-location auto repair business serving the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky markets. He built his career from the ground up as a technician before moving into leadership, where he developed and implemented scalable systems that drive consistent performance across locations. His hands-on experience across dealerships, independent shop...

David Manley is the Managing Editor of Tire Business, where he covers the trends, policy shifts, and operational challenges shaping the tire and automotive repair industry. With more than two decades in journalism across photography, writing, and editing, he brings a well-rounded perspective on how industry changes impact shop owners on the ground. His work consistently highlights the growing tens...

Nick Fox is a Pro Service Coach and Facilitator with Elite Worldwide and a former multi-location auto repair shop owner. After helping grow and operate his family’s automotive service business for more than a decade, Fox sold the operation and transitioned into coaching independent shop owners across North America. His work centers around helping operators improve leadership, operations, and profi...

Matt Gibbons is the Sales Director at Ozarko Tire Centers, one of the largest commercial tire distributors in Missouri and Arkansas, operating 12 locations and multiple retread facilities. With more than a decade of experience in the commercial tire industry and previous roles working with Michelin North America, Gibbons has built his reputation helping fleets improve operational performance throu...

Eddie Butler is the owner of Butler Automotive, a multi-location auto repair business based in Augusta, Georgia. Raised in a family garage environment, he combined hands-on shop experience with formal business education to steadily expand operations over several decades while maintaining financial discipline and brand consistency; a real-world example of auto repair business longevity. Under his l...

John Kairys is the Executive Director of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation, bringing more than 40 years of experience across retail, wholesale, franchising, and distribution in the automotive aftermarket. He now leads efforts focused on providing financial assistance and support to industry professionals facing personal hardship. Orlando Mangual is the owner of Mangual Enterprises a...

Tony Gonzalez is the Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Tire Group International (TGI) , a global tire distribution and manufacturing company behind Cosmo Tires. His career traces back to a multigenerational tire business rooted in the 1940s, giving him decades of hands-on experience in product development, brand positioning, distribution, and dealer partnerships across the automotive aftermarket. Know...

Mitch Bruneel serves as President of Retail Operations at Gill’s Point S Tire, where he focuses on employee development, customer experience, and operational growth within a family business rooted in the tire industry for generations. His leadership reflects a commitment to collaborative learning and the shared culture that defines the Point S dealer community. Walter Lybeck is CEO of Point S Tire...

Eric Raber is the owner of ER Autocare , a multi-location auto repair business with four locations in the Columbus, Ohio area. With roots in agricultural mechanics and early hands-on experience working alongside his father, Eric built his technical foundation long before opening his first shop. Over the years, Eric has navigated shop growth, rebranding, hiring challenges, and operational scaling f...

Bryan Call is an Operations Advisor at Schierl Tire & Service , a multi-location tire and automotive service operation with seven stores across Central Wisconsin. With more than 30 years in the industry, Bryan has worked his way up from technical training and shop-level roles into leadership, giving him a ground-level and long-term view of how the business has evolved. In his current role, Bry...

Tim Winkeler is the President and CEO of VIP Tires & Service , a multi-location tire and auto repair company operating nearly 80 locations across the Northeast. With decades of experience in automotive retail and operations, Tim has played a key role in scaling the business through disciplined growth, strategic acquisitions, and a strong focus on operational consistency. Under his leadership,...

Jon Kloosterman is the Chief Operating Officer of Westside Auto Group, a six-location auto repair organization based in Michigan. With more than 17 years in the business, Jon has grown alongside the company, stepping into the COO role in early 2020 during one of the most disruptive periods the industry has faced. Having experienced growth from the ground level through executive leadership, Jon bri...

Andy Fiffick is the President & CEO of Rad Air Complete Car Care and Tire Centers, overseeing a network of multi-location auto repair shops in the Cleveland, Ohio area. With more than 50 years in the automotive industry, Andy began working on cars at a young age alongside his father, a diesel mechanic who instilled a “do it right the first time” mindset that still guides his leadership today....

Chuck Space is the Executive Director of the Texas Tire & Automotive Association (TTAA) and the founder of Space & Associates, an association management and consulting firm. With more than two decades of experience working alongside tire dealers, auto repair shop owners, and trade organizations, Chuck has built a career focused on advocacy, governance, and strategic growth for industry ass...

Mike Edge is the host of the Gain Traction Podcast and a long-time voice in the tire and automotive repair industry. With more than two decades of experience spanning internet marketing, small business consulting, and industry media, Mike has worked closely with tire dealers, auto repair shop owners, and multi-location operators across the country. His background includes early involvement in digi...

Jason Eich is a multi-location auto repair shop owner based in Evansville, Indiana. After spending more than two decades in a corporate career, Jason made an unexpected leap into independent auto repair ownership; a move that eventually led to operating multiple successful shops. Drawing from his background in leadership, discipline shaped by his time in the Marines, and hands-on experience scalin...

AJ Nealey is the owner and “Chief Cheerleader” of Nealey Tire & Auto, a rapidly growing multi-location auto repair business in Maryland. A self-taught technician who began his career turning wrenches in a one-bay garage behind his home, AJ built his company through relentless curiosity, hard work, and a passion for serving people. Over time, he shifted from technician to leader and eventually...

Gary Skidmore is a longtime tire industry leader whose career began in his father’s independent shop and eventually grew into franchise ownership and executive roles within Big O Tires. With experience spanning the sales counter, the service bays, and corporate leadership, Gary brings a rare, full-circle view of what makes tire dealers successful. Today, he helps guide one of the most recognized d...

Gianluca Grioni is the Vice President of Sales for Momo Tires USA and brings decades of global experience to the automotive industry. Originally from Italy, he began his career in 1997 as a test driver and went on to spend 22 years with Pirelli before joining Momo. Today, he oversees Momo’s growth across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, guiding distribution strategies, brand development, and the comp...