Tire Industry Association

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	TIA Contact: Roy Littlefield
December 5, 2007	301-430-7280

TIA Hires New Director of Automotive Training Development

Bowie, MD – (December 5, 2007) The Tire Industry Association (TIA) today announced the hiring of Sean MacKinnon as the new Director of Automotive Training Development. MacKinnon will serve as the primary resource for retail tire dealers needing information on servicing vehicles with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) and will also be responsible for updating the Automotive Tire Service (ATS) Training and Certification Program. The Association recognized the need to address the growing industry concern regarding the implementation of TPMS and other technology changes so this new, full-time position was created.

MacKinnon has been in the retail tire industry for more than a decade and has worked in retail tire facilities as a technician, supervisor, and manager. Sean recently completed his bachelor’s degree in education while maintaining full-time employment at a tire retailer. His work experience combined with his background in education will prove to be an invaluable tool in aiding TIA members who need the most up-to-date TPMS information and training. MacKinnon will be based out of the Bowie, Maryland, headquarters.

“We are very pleased to welcome Sean to the TIA staff,” remarked TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield. “His experience and education are a perfect match to what we were looking for in this new position, so we are confident that Sean will be successful in his effort to provide our members with the latest ATS and TPMS training. And with an additional staff trainer, it will be much easier for us to hold regional instructor certification courses throughout North America so every member will have access to the best educational resources in the industry.”

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TIA is an international association representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires, and also those suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has a history that spans more than 80 years and includes several name changes. Originally known as the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA), the organization gave birth over the years to the American Retreaders Association (ARA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). ARA changed its name to the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and merged with TANA in 2002 to form the current Tire Industry Association (TIA), which now represents every interest in the tire industry.

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