Pauline Chambers-Yost, Tech International’s CEO and president, and her husband, Walter Yost, were killed in an automobile accident on Saturday, Sept. 1, near Johnstown, Ohio.
Mrs. Yost has been CEO and president of Tech International since the death of her first husband, Frank H. Chambers, who passed away in 1972. Under her leadership and direction, Tech International has grown to become the largest producer of tire repairs and related products in the world.
Cheryl Chambers-Poulton will assume the acting duty of Tech’s CEO and president. She will be supported by Tech’s senior management officials, a group of long-term executives including Michael R. Chambers, Gary Chambers Jr., Nikki Layne, Dan Layne, Jerry Besanceney, Robert Overs, Mike Derenburger, Gary Armstrong, and Mark Noble, who have been running the Tech Group of Companies’ business and operations for several years.
“The highest tribute we can pay my mother is to honor the standards by which she lived, loved and worked,” says Poulton. “On behalf of my family and our Tech management team, we are committed to my mother’s vision of employing Johnstown people, growing the Tech manufacturing facility here in Johnstown and by continuing to provide jobs to the Johnstown/Licking County community.”
Jerry Besanceney, general manager and vice president of global operations, says it is the company's goal "to carry on both the business and the community missions which Pauline has established; by caring for Tech associates and their families; by continuing to produce the highest quality products in the world; and by maintaining Pauline’s long-standing commitment to the Johnstown/Licking County community.”
Tech has global manufacturing in Northern Ireland, Hungary, India and China. Company offices are located in Japan, Belgium, Australia and Columbia.
In 1998, Tech International purchased Truflex/Pang Rubber Products, based in Los Angeles, Calif.
Mrs. Yost (84) was born in Johnstown, Ohio, on Nov. 22, 1916.
She was highly respected both in the local business communities as well as within the tire repair industry. She received numerous accolades, including:
* Central Ohio Business Hall of Fame membership.
* National Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.
* Entrepreneur of the Year -- State of Ohio.
* International Tire & Rubber Industry Hall of Fame membership.
* Presidential “E” and “E” Star Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce for excellence in exporting.
Walter Yost (80) was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on Nov. 16, 1920. He was chief of police in Buffalo, served as superintendent of police in Chicago, and retired as a police captain in Columbus, Ohio. He spent 29 years with the railroad police, retiring for good in 1980.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Chambers Foundation, P.O. Box 486, Johnstown, OH 43031. Founded by Pauline Chambers-Yost, The Chambers Foundation is a non-profit organization which supports worthy causes such as Johnstown/Licking County Schools, The Battered Women’s Shelter of Licking County and The Monroe Township Fire Department.
