Succession plans have been a hot topic at Purcell Tire & Rubber Co. board meetings for years. But it only took a few weeks to hire the CEO necessary to ensure the continued growth, strength and future of the company.
Roger Lucas, who is senior vice president of Tire Centers LLC (TCi), was hired to replace Bob Purcell as CEO. Purcell, who will turn 80 in November, will remain chairman.
Purcell says the board recently interviewed 11 people for the CEO position over two consecutive weekends. Eight of them work for Purcell Tire.
"It turned out to be an education for our board. They got to know our top people."
Lucas will join the Potosi, Mo.-based company on or before May 1, 2014. According to Purcell, he will spend a short time finishing up his responsibilities at TCi, which include managing the commercial operations and its 67 commercial centers, nine retread facilities and 940 employees. TCi is a division of Michelin North America Inc.
He also will attend the Purcell Tire managers' meeting in Phoenix in April.
Bob Purcell and his wife, Juanita, plan to continue to stay involved in the leadership of the company, Bob as chairman and Juanita as COO. The Purcells were the 2004 winners of Modern Tire Dealer's Tire Dealer of the Year Award.
