VIP Tires Strengthens Leadership Team

Auburn, Maine-based VIP Tires & Service has promoted Gary MacCausland to the role of chief store operations officer and has announced other executive appointments.

MacCausland most recently served as the dealership's senior vice president of operations.

VIP Tires & Service also has hired Roy Donlan to serve as its general counsel and chief risk officer (CRO) and has named Cooper Babcock chief administrative officer.

"Babcock will oversee the company’s payroll, human resources and technology teams," say VIP Tires & Service officials. "He comes to VIP after successful senior leadership roles with Tanbark Molded Fiber Products and Grove Collaborative.

"As VIP’s general counsel and CRO, Donlon is an attorney who brings expertise in the fields of legal affairs, facility management, security and other areas," having served the last 23 years as general counsel and director at Norwell, Mass.-based Sullivan Tire Co. Inc.

MacCausland’s promotion comes after more than 15 years of service to VIP Tires & Service. Company officials say he will oversee "a wide range of increased responsibilities, most notably building the future of VIP’s employee development, leadership, coaching and training initiatives in support of achieving a new level of excellence and compliance in operational execution.

"Working with other members of VIP’s executive leadership team, including the new hires, MacCausland will help prepare the company for a new phase of expansion in the years ahead."

“After years of strong, sustainable growth, VIP is excited to announce new additions to our executive leadership team as we look ahead to future,” says Tim Winkeler, president and CEO of VIP Tires & Service. “With the new hires of Cooper Babcock and Roy Donlon, as well as the recent promotion of Gary MacCausland, we are optimistic about our prospects for future growth and deeply confident in our executive leaders to navigate new opportunities. VIP is a leader in customer service because of our people, many of whom have worked at the company for decades. I could not be more proud of VIP’s team of experts and our customers can continue to count on that shared expertise.”

VIP Tires & Service, which currently operates 77 locations throughout New England and employs more than 800 people, is celebrating its centennial. (Click here to listen to a recent Modern Tire Dealer Show interview with John Quirk, the company's executive chairman.)