Tyre industry outsider picked to head TRIB

ERJ staff report (TB)

Las Vegas, Nevada -- The board of directors of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) has selected David Stevens, a veteran public relations and sales executive with no prior tyre industry experience, as TRIB's new managing director.

While he is from outside the tyre industry, Mr. Stevens “is a sponge for knowledge,” said Bob Majewski, TRIB's new president, in a news conference Nov. 3 at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show.

“The board was clearly impressed with the research and in-depth analysis David put together,” Majewski said. “Not only did he provide us with an on-target snapshot of where TRIB is, but he put forth an insightful vision for the future.”

Stevens, 43, said he has almost two decades in public relations, trade show management, sales and customer service with companies such as MCI, First USA, AOL and eTrade. He has worked in Tokyo and the United Kingdom as a corporate manager.

Marvin Bozarth, who had been serving as interim director in the wake of the dismissal last month of TRIB's former chief, Harvey Brodsky, will remain to help train Stevens during an unspecified transition period.

Stevens said he is “completely focused on the future of TRIB” and is eager to redesign its Internet presence and turn it into a robust website that will place a “wealth of knowledge” at members' fingertips. “There's a great story to be told,” he said.

Stevens lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and three young children. TRIB officials said they are considering moving TRIB operations to the nation's capital from its longtime headquarters site in Pacific Grove, California.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)

www.retread.org/