TIA Reorganizes Leadership Team

BOWIE, Md. – The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has reorganized its leadership team in a move to create an organizational structure that will better serve TIA’s mission into the future, CEO Richard “Dick” Gust has announced.

The changes include new titles and responsibilities for long-time TIA executives Sandra Martinez, who becomes chief operating officer (COO), Kevin Rohlwing, who is now chief technical officer (CTO), and LaKisha Pindell, who has been named vice president of meetings and events. Martinez, Rohlwing and Pindell will report to Gust. The changes became effective May 1.

“I am excited about this new organizational structure and the potential it offers TIA in effectively navigating a fast-changing tire and automotive environment,” Gust said. “The association is blessed to have long-term talented leaders, whom I have the utmost confidence in, to guide us into the future.”

Previously vice president of operations, Martinez is a 24-year veteran of TIA who has an in-depth understanding of all facets of the association’s operations, Gust said. As COO, she will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day business operations, including finance and human resources, as well as ensuring the infrastructure is in place to achieve TIA’s strategic goals and deliver on its mission statement. In addition, she will have direct responsibility to oversee policies and procedures needed to effectively drive sustainable growth and operational efficiency.

Rohlwing, who most recently served as TIA’s senior vice president of training, has spent 26 years developing and overseeing the association’s award-winning tire technician training programs. As CTO, he will be responsible for analyzing tire industry data and trends to ensure the content and direction of the association’s technical training programs, seminars, workshops and white papers are aligned with TIA’s strategic goals.

In addition, he will be tasked with ensuring TIA’s industry positions are consistent with existing regulations, standards, guidelines and best practices, as well as defending those positions in regulatory proceedings and civil litigation when necessary. He also will create timelines for the development and deployment of technology services to maintain a member-focused outlook and ensure that technical resources meet the association’s short- and long-term goals, Gust said.

Pindell, a certified meetings planner (CMP), has spent 18 years at TIA managing board meetings, special events and conferences. She also has worked to solicit sponsorships and advertising for TIA publications and programs.

In her role as vice president of meetings and events, she will be responsible for overseeing all activities related to conducting association meetings, conferences and special events to ensure they are well executed and align with TIA’s strategic goals and mission statement, Gust said.

Her specific duties include implementing event strategies, assisting in event venue research, creating vendor networks, conducting contract negotiations for meeting and event support services and contacting sponsors. She also will handle pre-event activities, facilitate post-event reviews, monitor budgets, prepare management reports and set milestones to track performance.

Source: TIA