On the Rise: Logan Spores

Logan Spores

Commercial tire tech | Pomp’s Tire & Service | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Age : 22

What was your first job in the industry?

Inside tire tech.

What attracted you to the industry?

I had a teacher in automotive class that told me I would make a good tire technician one day, and a friend of the family happened to work for Pomp’s Tire, so he put the word in and got me hired.

What is the biggest challenge you've faced in your career?

Adapting to the speed of the industry and the competitiveness between the other techs to be the best.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

There are three who come to mind, Dan Adams, another tire technician, who got me on the right track to getting my work done safely and quickly. Jeremy Miller, my first store manager, who believed in me to send me to TIA classes and next-level training, and Lynn Clark, the current store manager, who continued the path Jeremy put in front of me on and introduced small OTR and ag tires.

What is your biggest accomplishment in the industry?

Being nominated for this as an up-and-coming tire technician because I have worked very hard to be here!

Tell us about your current job and responsibilities. How do you spend your workday?

I start every day with our daily huddle safety meeting, do my pre-trip on my truck and check all my supplies. I check the board to see what my service manager has lined up for me first thing and take on whatever else comes in throughout the day. I am on afterhours call every third week since we are a 24/7 emergency response store. I am responsible for keeping my truck clean & DOT ready. I make sure all my tires are written up for retread or scrapped, and everyone overall helps with keeping the shop and yard cleaned up.

Tell us about your family.

My mom works in the physical therapy industry and recently went back to college to earn her business degree. My dad works for DHL and my sister works for Kwikstar, which is one of my main food sources especially when I'm running after-hours calls because some of them are open 24/7, and my truck and me both need fuel! My brother owns his own lawn care company. My parents are very supportive as my mom bought me tire tools for Christmas.

What is the most essential professional skill for someone in your job?

Safety first! This is a very dangerous job that needs to have my full attention. Pomp’s has a slogan Safety First, Safety Always. Pomp’s makes sure we are doing everything as safe as possible.

What song takes you back to high school? (Include the artist)

“Till I Collapse” by Eminem

If you could start a new career tomorrow, what would you do?

Police or S.W.A.T. officer.

Do you live by inbox zero, or inbox disaster?

Probably inbox disaster, I don't really get emails but i get jobs and we don't usually get one thing at a time at work, we get them in bunches so we tackle the pile and work it down because there is a new pile as soon as I'm done with the old one!

In the next 10 years, what will be the biggest change in the tire industry?

Probably the run-flat technology that is working its way into every application.

What moment in life would you like to live over again?

Probably going to Fort Benning in Georgia for my brother’s Basic Training ceremony.

What hobby or activity helps you unwind?

Playing video games and fishing.

If it was your job to persuade new people to join the tire industry, what would be your best selling point?

The pay is always a bonus but being the person people rely on when someone is broken down and just trying to get home is a great feeling.

What's one thing you would change about yourself?

I really like me the way I am, and I’m pretty happy with how far I’ve come, so I think I’m good.

Pick a celebrity and explain why you think he/she would be a great tire dealer.

Keanu Reeves. He’s honest, humble and doesn't look down on people. He’s always trying to help other people.