MTD names Ken Towery of Ken Towery's AutoCare SuperCenter its 2008 Tire Dealer of the Year

Ken Towery, president of Louisville, Ky.-based Ken Towery's AutoCare SuperCenter, is Modern Tire Dealer magazine's 2008 Tire Dealer of the Year. Towery was chosen to receive the industry's most prestigious award from more than 28,000 eligible independent tire dealers throughout North America.

Towery, MTD's 16th Tire Dealer of the Year, was selected by a panel of independent judges, who based their decision on his business success, marketing skills, management skills, industry knowledge and community involvement.

"We are thrilled to have Mr. Towery as our Tire Dealer of the Year," says MTD Publisher Greg Smith. "Our judges did an exceptional job of evaluating the numerous candidates we had for this year's award."

As part of the award, MTD -- in conjunction with Towery's suppliers -- will donate $9,000 in Towery's name to the charity of his choice, Necole's Place in Louisville. It is a subsidiary of Women's Choice, an organization that educates women about taking care of themselves and their infants.

"As part of the tire industry, we at MTD feel it is a tremendous honor to give to this deserving organization," says Smith.

Towery's career began in 1958 as a tire changer at a local tire shop. He opened his own dealership in 1971. It has since grown to encompass 16 retail locations in Kentucky and Indiana, plus a thriving wholesale division.

For the full story about how Towery has built his company, see the September 2008 issue of MTD, available soon.

Past Tire Dealer of the Year award winners include industry giants like the late Les Schwab of Prineville, Ore.-based Les Schwab Tire Centers; Paul Zurcher of Monroe, Ind.-based Zurcher Tire Inc./Best-One Tire & Service; and others. To see a complete list of winners and their stories, see www.moderntiredealer.com.