Fountain Tire Promotes 3 Veteran Leaders

April 15, 2021

Fountain Tire Ltd. has added a chief operating officer to its corporate structure and promoted three long-time employees to top-level assignments in the company.

The tire dealership is creating a chief operating officer position and appointing Jason Herle to the role. Herle most recently served as senior vice president of marketing, information systems and supply chain. He's been with Fountain Tire for 26 years, and in his new role will continue to operationalize the company's focus on customer service.

Cathy de Kock Gordon will take on the role of chief financial officer following the retirement of David Janzen. She joined Fountain Tire in 2004 and has moved through progressive roles in accounting, finance and information systems. Since 2017 she's served as associate vice president of finance. As CFO she'll oversee the directors of finance in business operations and programs as well as the director of legal and real estate.

Shad Smereka will become vice president of people and customer experience. Smereka is a 24-year veteran of Fountain Tire, and since 2018 has served as general manager of people and store innovation. He'll focus on " the connection between a fulfilled workforce and exceptional customer service."

The new appointments are effective immediately, with all three executives based out of Fountain Tire’s corporate office in Edmonton, Alberta.

“Fountain Tire is committed to continual enhancement,” says CEO Brent Hesje. “Customer experience is a focus throughout our company. With an improved structure in place at head office, our store managers are better supported to focus on delivering exceptional customer service within our communities.

“Our people and our customers are at the forefront of these changes as we continue to live our core purpose: Helping people get there – safely, sustainably and successfully."