TIA Announces Richard Smallwood as Keynote Speaker for the 2017 Tire Industry Honors

(Bowie, MD) – The Tire Industry Association, a leader in tire safety, announces Richard Smallwood, president & CEO, Sumitomo Rubber North America, Inc. as the 2017 Tire Industry Honors keynote speaker. The Tire Industry Honors, sponsored by Michelin, will be held in Las Vegas at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel on Monday, October 30th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.

Richard Smallwood’s speech will focus on the advent of driverless cars - the greatest change in highway travel in over a century. He will address how this impact will increase vehicle miles traveled and how tire and auto part sizes are expected to be more uniform in size, that will significantly reduce inventory. By 2025, industry leaders are predicting 24 million driverless vehicles on the highway.

Richard has been in the tire and rubber industry for 30 years. Throughout his career Richard has held the roles of Vice President of Sales & Marketing, and Chief Operating Officer, with Falken Tire Corporation. He also currently serves as an Executive Officer of Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI), and previously served as a member of the Board of Directors for SRI Tire Trading, Ltd. (SRIT). Richard received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Organizational Communication at California State University Stanislaus and a MBA in Business at Pepperdine University.

“We are excited to have Richard speak at our 2017 Tire Industry Honors awards ceremony,” said Roy Littlefield, executive vice president, Tire Industry Association. “Richard has proven himself as a selfless leader and key player within the tire industry and we are looking forward to having him join us, our honorees, members, and guests for an incredible evening.”

Every year the Tire Industry Honors recognizes individuals who have significantly impacted the tire, rubber, and transportation industries.

To register for the 2017 Global Tire Expo: https://www.tireindustry.org/global-tire-expo. For more information on the Tire Industry Honors please contact: LeAnn Harley | lharley@tireindustry.org.

About Tire Industry Association: The Tire Industry Association (TIA), with a 97-year history representing all segments of the national and international tire industry, is the leading advocate, as well as, instructor in technical training of tire service technicians. For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org or call 800-876-8372

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