The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has honored Tony Mays of Purcell Global Mining Group with its Marvin Bozarth ETS Technician of the Year Award.
Mays received the honor during the first day of TIA's 2026 OTR Tire Conference, which is taking place this week in Orlando, Fla.
The award, which was unveiled during the 2024 edition of TIA's OTR Tire Conference, honors OTR tire technicians “who exemplify excellence, dedication and leadership in their field,” according to TIA officials. "It honors the legacy of Marvin Bozarth, a tire industry icon known for his commitment to training and education."
To qualify for the award, candidates must be an employee of a TIA member in good standing; must have completed a minimum of basic TIA Commercial Tire Service and Basic Earthmover Tire Service programs; and must have at least three years of experience as an OTR technician.
TIA President Russ Devens presented the award to Mays. "Your dedication represents the very best in the OTR (tire) industry," Devens told Mays.
Devens also praised May's "impressive commitment to mentoring and training others" and his success in fostering customer loyalty and satisfaction. "He goes beyond simply meeting expectations."
TIA will open nominations for next year's Marvin Bozarth ETS Technician of the Year Award this summer.
About the Author
Mike Manges
Editor
Mike Manges is Modern Tire Dealer’s editor. A 28-year tire industry veteran, he is a three-time International Automotive Media Association Award winner, holds a Gold Award from the Association of Automotive Publication Editors and was named a finalist for the prestigious Jesse H. Neal Award, the Pulitzer Prize of business-to-business media, in 2024. He also was named Endeavor Business Media's Editor of the Year in 2024. Mike has traveled the world in pursuit of stories that will help independent tire dealers move their businesses forward. Before rejoining MTD in 2019, he held corporate communications positions at two Fortune 500 companies and served as MTD’s senior editor from 2000 to 2010.
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