David Martin began his one-year term as president of the Tire Industry Association (TIA) on Oct. 30, 2017, at the organization’s annual membership meeting in Las Vegas, Nev.
Martin, who is category director of tools and supply for American Tire Distributors Inc., takes over TIA's top leadership role from Tom Formanek, regional sales manager for Stellar Industries Inc.
In his first act as president, Martin welcomed six new members to TIA’s board. They are:
- Ernie Caramanico – Amityville Firestone, Amityville, N.Y.;
- Brad Feeney – TBC Corp., Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.;
- Mason Hess – Purcell Tire and Rubber Co., Tucson, Ariz.; and
- Thomas Kirk Huls – Tokah Inc., dba Big O Tire, Yucca Valley, Calif.
- Daniel Childers – TCi Tire Centers in Duncan, S.C., and
- Russell Devens – McCarthy Tire Service Inc. in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
TIA also adopted a resolution urging lawmakers to modernize regulations governing overtime pay levels “in a responsible manner for business and workers.” The complete resolution follows.
Whereas, we recognize that a review of the 2004 salary requirement under the Fair Labor Standards Act is appropriate;
Whereas, it is a common practice of TIA to have managers and assistant managers on salary;
Whereas, we will oppose efforts to change overtime pay to levels unsustainable for business owners;
Whereas, an unrealistic rule would cause more harm than good to many of the workers who could be covered by the new rule;
Whereas, we will pledge to support efforts by legislators and regulators to modernize the Fair Labor Standards Act in a responsible manner for business and workers.
Now therefore be it resolved by TIA assembled this 30th day of October 2017, in General Assembly, that the Association urges rule makers and lawmakers to careful consider the financial impact of changing the Fair Labor Standards Act and that the Association will oppose rules or legislation that will cause economic hardships on its members. While recognized that the salary requirement under the 2004 rule is out of date, we urge the Department of Labor to adopt at most only a moderate increase (not to exceed 50% of an absolute minimum, making a new salary threshold of $35,000, to ensure that any increase is sustainable to small business.) We further request that DOL allow all non-discretionary bonuses and commissions to be counted towards the salary requirement, it should be phased in over a period of at least five years. Finally, we believe that no changes should be made to the duties for the overtime exemption.
The resolution will be put on file with resolutions adopted in previous years to dictate association policy, according to TIA Vice President John Evankovich.
TIA held its annual meeting the day before the start of the 2017 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show and Global Tire Expo. The events are held at the Las Vegas Convention Center Oct. 31 - Nov. 3.
