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Tire Dealer of the Year profile:

Nick Mitsos, CEO and president, Mountain View Tire & Service

By: Bob Ulrich

Irene and Nick Mitsos.

The son of Greek immigrants, Mitsos made a major career change at age 40 when he joined the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. as an entry-level retail salesperson for $6.50 an hour. He had a family of five, and a son getting ready to go to college. “But I wanted to learn the business.”

Full name: Nicholas Mitsos

Age: 68

Family: wife, Irene, and three sons: Chris, Michael and Paul

I am most proud of: my family.

My hobbies and interests include: drag racing and traveling.

My favorite childhood memory is: playing baseball, being together with my friends.

My biggest regret: I have no regrets. I make it a point never to look back.

My favorite book: I’m not much of a reader, but I enjoy fiction.

My favorite sport: football. Go Jets!

My favorite athlete: Duke Snider, center fielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was my idol.

My favorite food: pasta

My favorite TV shows: “American Idol,” “Harry’s Law”

My favorite politician: Are you kidding?

If I could change one thing about myself I: would be more patient and absorb life a little more.

My goal in life is: to make sure my wife and kids with their families have no worries.

A perfect evening for me is: a great dinner with family and friends.

The smartest thing I’ve ever done is: marry my wife.

Best advice my parents ever gave me: Never lie, always respect your elders and work hard.

My advice to a tire dealer who is just starting out: Know the business and lead by example.

The greatest thing about the tire industry today: There is always a challenge and it can take you two ways — keep you young or make you old in a hurry. It’s up to you. To keep yourself young, you must be an innovator, and be sharp every day to meet the competitive challenges.

comments

1. Pete | September 22, 2011 at 08:57AM
   Couldn't happen to a classier act! Congrats, Nick.

2. Jesaias | November 27, 2011 at 03:07PM
   Excellent story of striving to get better by being clever and a true innovator entrepreneur. I am also in the industry and have been for 6 years, I have a passion for it which has made me succeed so far in my 27 years of live in it and still loving it. I learned that your way in the book (The richest man of Babylon)... if one want to enter a tire business do not go to the clothing store for advice.