While marking a new chapter of leadership, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) launched several key priorities and programs to amplify dealer training, consumer education and tire recycling practices during its annual meeting.

Announced in conjunction with the Global Tire Expo/SEMA Show, the organization announced that TIA Online University, its established online training platform for tire service technicians, will transition to Today’s Class in early 2027. Industry professionals will maintain access to TIA’s existing online training courses while also accessing additional learning resources and app-based programs, say TIA officials.

By partnering with Today’s Class, TIA will expand on its educational resources and opportunities for professional development while helping tire dealers promote continued learning across all employee training areas.

"As tire technology and service practices continue to evolve, the transition reflects TIA’s ongoing commitment to supporting its members and the broader tire industry through education, training and safety," according to officials.

“For decades, TIA has helped tire technicians develop the knowledge and skills needed to perform their jobs safely and effectively,” says Christine Hoogenboom, director of training for TIA.

“This transition allows us to build on that legacy while giving our users access to additional learning opportunities through Today’s Class. We’re excited about the benefits this partnership will bring to our members.”

TIA Online U will build on the association’s existing hands-on training and certification programs, "giving professionals another way to build and reinforce their knowledge between formal training opportunities. Online coursework does not replace applicable hands-on instruction or certification requirements."

“Training has the greatest impact when people can apply what they learn to their everyday work,” says David Boyes of Today’s Class. “By combining TIA’s industry expertise with the Today’s Class learning platform, we’re helping tire businesses make ongoing education part of their employees’ professional development.”

As TIA Online U plans to transition to Today’s Class in early 2027, "additional information about platform access, enrollment, pricing and available resources will be shared as the transition approaches," say TIA officials.

Addressing consumer tire education

In other news, TIA also rolled out its new consumer education website, Tire Safety Starts Here, "designed to help drivers better understand tire safety and the importance of proper tire maintenance."

The new website intends to offer "practical tire safety information directly to consumers, helping drivers find answers to common questions and make informed decisions about maintaining their tires," according to officials.

Covering core tire maintenance topics, the website includes information on proper tire inflation, tire rotation, tire repairs and tread depth. It also features consumer safety videos, including TIA’s new video, “Tire Safety Starts with Tread Depth,” which explains why sufficient tread depth is essential to tire performance and safety.

TIA is also providing useful resources from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and participating tire manufacturers to provide consumers with further opportunities to learn about tire care.

“Tire safety affects everyone on the road, and education is one of the most important tools we have to help drivers make informed decisions about their tires,” says Dick Gust, CEO of TIA. “With Tire Safety Starts Here, we’re making trusted tire safety information easier for consumers to digest. We’re proud to extend TIA’s commitment to tire safety beyond the service bay and into the communities our members serve.”

The new website also allows TIA members, tire service professionals and dealers "to share the resource with customers to help answer common tire maintenance questions, reinforce recommendations made during service visits, and encourage safer driving habits through ongoing tire care education."

TIA created a flyer with a QR code that dealers can print and display at their businesses, providing convenient access to the website. 

Addressing the scrap tire crisis

In a move that is intended to crack down on illegally dumped end-of-life tires and "promote the responsible collection, transportation, recycling and reuse of scrap tires," the organization passed the End-of-Life Tire State Legislation Resolution during the members meeting.

In a unanimous decision, the TIA Board of Directors passed the resolution that aims to support "the development and adoption of state end-of-life tire legislation that promotes responsible tire recycling, addresses illegal dumping and protects the interests of consumers and legitimate businesses throughout the tire industry."

TIA is pushing for legislation to be enacted that implements and documentation system of end-of-life tires throughout transportation, processing and final markets and imposes strong penalties for "illegal dumping, improper disposal and other unlawful activities involving end-of-life tires."

The organization also says legislation should impose a state scrap tire environmental fee, "separately identified on the retail tire sale invoice, with proceeds dedicated exclusively to authorized tire recycling, municipal cleanup, market development, consumer education and regulatory enforcement activities," say TIA officials.

The association says it will stay focused on encouraging state legislatures and regulatory agencies to review its resolution and that it "will work with industry stakeholders and policymakers to advance practical, state-specific solutions" that address illegal tire dumping and promote proper recycling practices across the industry.

Passing the gavel

Marking a change in leadership, Russ Devens, the outgoing TIA president, passed the gavel to Gary MacCausland during the annual meeting.

The director of safety and risk management for McCarthy Tire Service Co. Inc., Devens has spearheaded employee safety and training initiatives across McCarthy's 75-plus commercial tire locations for over 11 years.

A TIA board member for nine years, Devens spent his tenure as president strengthening the organization's training programs for technicians and dealers and promoting enhanced safety best practices for tire industry professionals across the United States.

MacCausland, chief officer of store operations for Auburn, Maine-based VIP Tires & Service, recently told MTD that he will be focused on elevating the organization's training and education programs as the industry evolves and advocating for strong governmental policies benefiting tire dealerships.

TIA also recognized the members of its 2026-27 Executive Committee: Bob Sumerel Tire Co.'s Gary Schroeder, vice president; Josephine Foley, secretary; Pomp's Tire Service's T.J. Trum, treasurer; and Russ Devens. The organization also acknowledged its outgoing board members for their service: Debra Hamlin, a past president of TIA, and Glen Nicholson.

Marking a new chapter, TIA also officially swore in its board of directors, which includes new and returning members.

Kelsey Jarman, director of sales. OTR tires, at ESTI, and Jason Rook, president and CEO of the Independent Tire Dealers Group LLC, have been elected for the first time. Craig Stevens, general manager of Big Horn Tire, and Adam Moffatt, executive director of the Tire Dealers Association of Canada, have been reelected.