Hall of Fame 2012
|
|
Randy Clark Randy Clark has represented the tire industry on many levels throughout his long and prestigious career. Mr. Clark has been an integral leader in a multitude of successful companies such as a regional Healthcare company, two publicly traded companies and AAA of Western New York. He was chairman at Dunlop Tire North America, but his most notable accomplishment is as the current chairman and president of Dunn Tire, LLC. Mr. Clark has helped the business grow to one of the largest independent tire dealerships in the country. Dunn Tire has made strides in philanthropy as well. With Mr. Clark at the helm, Dunn Tire has lead annual Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns, yearly holiday food drives and notable donations to disaster relief efforts. Randy Clark was named "Niagara Frontier Executive of the Year" by the University at Buffalo (N.Y.) School of Management. |
|
|
Bruce Halle Bruce Halle opened his first tire shop 52 years ago, and Discount Tire has become a shining example of success as the largest independent tire and wheel retailer in the world, with over 840 locations in 23 states. The book Six Tires, No Plan: The Impossible Journey of the Most Inspirational Leader that (Almost) Nobody Knows gives a thorough account of Mr. Halle's success story. The company is well represented outside the industry as well. Discount Tire's No. 22 car, driven by Brad Keselowski, won the Nationwide Series Championship in 2010, and their "Thank You" commercial currently holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest consecutively running commercial. The Bruce T. Halle Scholarship has provided over 1300 scholarships to dependents of Discount Tire employees. The Bruce T. Halle Family Foundation has given its support to a number of organizations, including the Children First Academy, the largest school for homeless children in the country. |
|
|
Paul Kruder Paul Kruder got his start in the tire industry in 1953 with Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., where he represented the organization in Liberia, West Africa. In 1971, Mr. Kruder decided to fully devote himself to bettering the tire industry by establishing his own company, Computerized Information and Management Services, Inc. (CIMS). His efforts in this new enterprise soon revolutionized the tire industry by creating an easy and efficient method to register highway tires. His company represents eighty percent of the manufacturers who sell tires in the United States today. He remained an active president and CEO of CIMS until his death. In addition, he also worked to actively promote and support tire dealers and manufacturers. He communicated closely with multiple industry officials to improve tire safety, training, and understanding. Mr. Kruder died peacefully in his home on January 2, 2009. |
|
|
Pete Veldman Pete Veldman was skeptical when first approached with the idea of creating a mail-order tire company. After entering the business, he quickly saw the need for customers to acquire specialty tires easily and efficiently. The resulting company, Tire Rack, has remained the leader in the mail-order tire business to this day; testing, selling and shipping tires from over 17 major manufacturers, with the focus on providing the optimum in customer service and convenience. He also was ahead of the game in implementing new marketing plans, making sure that Tire Rack was one of the first tire companies to have an online presence in 1996. Today, their website has over 50 million viewers annually, more than any other tire company and more than most automakers. Mr. Veldman has taken a hands-on approach to the safety of their customers by supporting such initiatives as the Tire Rack Street Survival program, a national, hands-on driver education course for teens founded by the BMW CCA. |
