Gain Traction

Chris Garman, Vice President of Business Development at Sun Auto Tire & Service, built up his family's auto service business from three to nine stores before selling to Sun Auto in 2019. He leads the company's mergers and acquisitions, significantly expanding its footprint. Tommy Gaynor, Director of Mergers and Acquisitions at Sun Auto, joined the company after acquiring his family's successfu...

Mike Graber is the President and CEO of Toyo Tires, a role he has embraced with vigor since joining the company in 2013. With a foundation in truck part sales and an eight-year tenure in various roles at Michelin, Mike's experience spans across the industry from sales to product development. In addition to a passionate commitment to product quality and customer engagement, Mike’s leadership reflec...

Joe Inchiostro is the Owner and CEO of St. Louis Wholesale Tire. His cousin, John Inchiostro, is Operations Manager. The company is renowned for providing hard-to-find tires and other specialty products in the automotive industry. Their fathers founded St. Louis Wholesale Tire, which started in their living room and eventually grew into an enterprise serving a national customer base. Together, Joe...

Steven Fafel, Co-founder of AutoOps, has innovatively shaped the automotive service industry through his online scheduling tool that integrates with most shop management systems. With a background in building software for rock climbing gyms with his brother, Steven pivoted to AutoOps to address a need for better customer engagement and streamlined scheduling in the auto repair space. Known for his...

Neal Maier is Co-founder of Tread Partners, an agency that specializes in marketing for the tire and auto repair industry. With a history of running shops and an entrepreneurial spirit, Neal has developed a nuanced understanding of the challenges businesses face in customer acquisition and retention. His expertise is in creating tailored marketing strategies, particularly leveraging a unique frame...

Nick Fox is the Regional Manager of Gills Point S Tire & Auto, holding the role for over nine years. His dedication to continuous improvement, coupled with a strong work ethic and self-motivation, sets him apart. Nick's profound product knowledge and customer-centric approach foster unparalleled loyalty and satisfaction, reflecting his commitment to delivering exceptional experiences. Vanessa...

Randy O'Connor, Owner of Dealer to Dealer Development Group, is a strategic specialist known for his prowess in analyzing and enhancing processes. With a track record spanning roles at Colony Tire, American Tire Distributors-Tire Pros, DSP20 Group, and Big Brand Tire and Service, Randy brings a wealth of experience to the table. He leverages his expertise to empower independent businesses in the t...

Douglas Kershaw is the Executive Vice President of KAL Group, a freight and truck parts company with numerous divisions. Prior to joining KAL Group, Douglas had an extensive career in the tire industry, previously serving as President of BKT Tires in North America. With his diverse background spanning television broadcasting, the rubber industry, and various leadership roles, Douglas brings a weal...

Cody Hammer is the Area Sales Manager for Trusted Tire and Auto in Bismarck, N.D. Despite not having an automotive background, Cody's career path shifted from construction to sales after being inspired by a radio advertisement featuring the general manager of Trusted Tire. With a natural gift for communication and a deep-seeded desire to positively impact people’s lives, Cody thrives in his role b...

Brian Quisenberry is Vice President at S&S Tire. Known for his responsive and dependable leadership style, Brian prides himself on his ability to deliver results and fulfill commitments through a blend of enablement and tenacity. With over 25 years of diverse experience, he has honed his skills as a coachable and loyal teammate, always ready to lead his team towards strategic success that brin...

Stephen Kantarze, is the Program Director of The Veterans Trust. He joined the US Army in 2008 as an infantryman, serving his countries in numerous capacities including a tour in Iraq. He was deeply impacted by his role as a casket team leader at Arlington National Cemetery, where conducted over a thousand funerals and ceremonies. As part of The Veterans Trust, Stephen continues to honor his milit...

David Bennett, Repair Systems Manager at AAA, brings over 37 years of dedicated service to the company. Originally from the Washington DC area, David's career journey began at a young age, marked by early experiences as a paperboy, at a gas station, and in food service. His passion for automotive work ignited during high school, where he received vocational training and honed his skills, laying th...

Baker Ghanim is the President of Tire Store Service Center in Bedford, Texas. Under his leadership, Tire Store Service Center opened nine locations in its first 10 years, with a goal of ultimately opening 50. Baker is also the Founder of oTo Solutions, where customers can easily order tires online. With his background in business management and customer service, Baker is dedicated to providing top...

Brooke Johnson is a dedicated Customer Service Representative at McMahon's Best-One Tire. With a prior background in the food industry which spanned a decade, Brooke brings a refreshing perspective to her role, marked by honesty and a strong work ethic. Despite her initial unfamiliarity with the tire industry, Brooke's commitment to learning and serving customers has made her an invaluable asset o...

Lee McWilliams is the store manager for Midas in Eden Prairie, Minn., where he oversees a customer service team in the automotive repair industry. With a keen understanding of the pivotal role customer interaction plays, Lee emphasizes the importance of empathy and adaptability in his role. Raised in a family where small-town values translated to warm customer service, Lee learned the art of build...

Darren McLea is a tire sales trainer and the Founder of DJM Solutions, specializing in tire sales, repairs, and elevating the customer experience within the tire and auto repair industry. With a passion for fostering growth in automotive businesses, Darren provides comprehensive sales and operational training while delivering consistent coaching feedback. His dedication lies in helping business ow...

Walter Lybeck is the CEO of Point S Tire and Auto Service. Originally from McMinnville, Oregon, growing up in a tight-knit community instilled in Walter a strong work ethic from a young age, starting with his first paying job mowing lawns. His path eventually led him through various roles in the service industry, including a memorable stint at Burger King. Though he initially stumbled into the tir...

Heather Langdon is a Customer Service Representative at Gerald's Tires & Brakes. Heather's journey into the tire business began when she applied for a position at Gerald’s to help her husband buy a motor for his trucking company, soon becoming an integral part of the customer service team. Born and raised in Charleston, Heather brings a deep understanding of her community's needs and values, s...

Clint and Clay Watts are the third-generation owners of Gerald's Tires & Brakes in Charleston, South Carolina. Their grandfather, fondly known as "Big Daddy," instilled in them the ethos of hard work and adaptability. From their humble beginnings transforming old gas stations into tire stores to evolving with the market's demands, Clint and Clay exemplify a commitment to learning and improving...

Charles Vickery brings over a decade of tire expertise to his role as  Store Manager at Beggs Tire & Wheel. Hailing from Prineville, Oregon, his journey in the tire industry began in the small town where the choices were clear-cut: either work at a mill or dive into the world of tires. Inspired by the legacy of Les Schwab, Charles started as a tire tech at Beggs in 2010. He quickly showcased h...

Danny Smith is the CEO of Same Day Auto Repair. With a background in the auto industry that spans over 28 years, Danny's career began in high school, working for Chevrolet and steadily advancing through various roles. Despite his family not being in the industry, Danny's strong work ethic and determination led him to master different aspects of the business, leading to the bold decision to venture...

Scott Blair is the creator, host, and an instructor at T.R.A.C.K. Auto Training and Network. He is also Managing Partner of 2U Tire of Alabama and Co-founder of 2U Mobile Solutions. His automotive journey began in 1993, diving into the industry with American Racing Custom Wheels. In the late ‘90s, Scott developed and patented the Wheel Fit, a specialized aluminum jig for measuring custom wheels. H...

Jeff Mullersman is the Midwest Sales Director at ATTURO Tires, with 25 years of experience in the tire industry. Jeff’s automotive career is full of twists and turns, beginning with getting ripped off sweeping a go-kart parking lot. Undeterred, Jeff became a driver for Progressive Custom Wheels before moving on to sales, eventually running his own location in Omaha, Nebraska. When the company went...

Hunt Demarest is Senior Accountant at Paar, Melis & Associates, an accounting and tax firm specializing in automotive repair shops. Hunt is a seasoned CPA with a passion for optimizing team management and development, empowering shop owners with financial insights that drive greater success for their businesses. Armed with an economics degree from Penn State and an accreditation in business va...

Todd Hayes is the Chief Operating Officer of Adams Automotive and Co-founder of Auto Shop Answers. At age 26 Todd founded a company, successfully growing it into a chain of stores that he later sold to a venture capital group. Having been perfecting business models since 1986, Todd's expertise led him to coalesce with partners including Perry Adams, Joe Adams, and Glenn Piccolo. Together, they tra...