The Tire Industry Association (TIA) is pleased to announce the results of its 2025 Board of Directors election. Five members have been elected, with four serving three-year terms and one serving a two-year term.

Joining the Board for a three-year term are:

Stephen Callahan of Liberty Tire Recycling
Michael Jacobsen of Purcell Tire Company
Jeff Campbell of Tire Discounters Inc.
John Evankovich of Sam’s Club Tire and Battery Centers

Additionally, Darrell Jackson of Big O Tires will serve a two-year term to fill the vacancy created by Gary Schroeder’s move to the position of Secretary.

“We are excited to welcome Stephen, Michael, Jeff, John, and Darrell to the TIA Board of Directors,” said TIA CEO, Dick Gust. “The mix of new and returning leadership ensures a strong foundation of knowledge, innovation, and continuity that will benefit TIA and the industry at large.”

The new directors will officially take office on Monday, November 3, 2025, during TIA’s Annual Membership Meeting, held in conjunction with the Global Tire Expo/SEMA show in Las Vegas.

Stephen Callahan

Stephen has more than 24 years of experience in the scrap tire industry, where he has built a career focused on improving the end-of-life journey for tires through collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. His work spans across retail and commercial tire dealers, wholesalers, retreaders, manufacturers, government agencies, and fellow recyclers—each partnership aimed at creating more responsible and effective tire recycling solutions.

Stephen is an active member of TIA, serving on the Environmental Advisory Council, where his passion for environmental stewardship and industry collaboration continues to grow. He is also a Director for the Ohio Tire & Automotive Association and was formerly a Board Member of the Jefferson Hills Borough Environmental Advisory Council in Pennsylvania. With a deep commitment to advancing sustainable practices and fostering partnerships across the industry, Stephen views serving on the TIA Board of Directors as a significant and meaningful opportunity.

Michael Jacobsen

With 29 years of dedicated service to Purcell Tire Company, Michael Jacobsen exemplifies loyalty, perseverance, and strategic leadership in the tire industry. Starting his career in 1996 as a retread plant management trainee—without any prior experience in the field—Michael’s rise to Vice President of Manufacturing is a testament to his commitment and adaptability. Today, he oversees operations at eleven retread plants across the country, leading a team of more than 180 employees.

His career reflects a deep-rooted belief that long-term commitment, paired with hard work and vision, drives meaningful progress. Under his leadership, Purcell has embraced continuous improvement, operational excellence, and a forward-looking approach to manufacturing. In 2024, Michael served on the OTR Retreading Panel at the TIA OTR Tire Conference, where he, along with others, brought attention to a critical industry challenge: the knowledge gap surrounding OTR tire retreading and repairing. As a passionate advocate for education and industry awareness, he champions the role of organizations like TIA in empowering businesses and consumers with the insights needed to make informed, sustainable decisions.

Jeff Campbell

Jeff Campbell brings three decades of tire industry experience to his role as Chief Supply Officer at Tire Discounters. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership positions at NTW, NTB, Sears, and Monro, building a solid foundation in supply chain management, operations, and strategic growth.

A respected leader in the industry, Jeff served on the AMRA Board for nine years—seven of those as Chair—where he played a pivotal role in expanding membership and increasing member engagement. Having already served on the TIA Board, Jeff begins his new three-year term bringing that same spirit of collaboration, innovation, and mentorship to the table. With 10 years of board experience, Jeff is recognized as a mentor and advocate for industry progress, especially in the areas of training and safety. He believes strongly in the power of education—for both employees and customers—as a cornerstone of success in the tire business.

John Evankovich

John Evankovich is the director of Sam’s Club Tire and Battery Centers, overseeing more than 580 retail outlets across the U.S. He has worked at Sam’s Club for over 35 years, starting as a tire installation technician. In 2009, he received the Sam’s Club Achievement in Service Award for outstanding contributions to customer experience, and four years later, he was recognized with the Sam’s Club Carpe Diem Award for achievements in consumer and workplace safety. John also holds a Certificate in Human Resource Employment Practice and Law.

As the TIA president in 2019, he emphasized his strengths in building relationships with stakeholders and collaborating to improve business operations to meet mutual goals. A returning Board member, John describes himself as a student of the industry with a passion for consumer safety and environmental sustainability and is highly engaged in government relations. “As an industry veteran and long-time TIA member, I understand the power of collaboration within our industry to ensure our voice is heard on a legislative level,” he said. “TIA allows me to utilize my industry experience and understanding of the legislative process to help further the initiatives that impact all of us. I’m a long-time advocate of consumer safety and protecting our environment. TIA gives me the opportunity to be involved in developing training and best practices to help all tire retailers.”

Darrell Jackson

With over 43 years of experience in the tire industry, Darrell brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise to the training department. Before transitioning into training, he successfully managed multiple tire retail locations, building a strong foundation in both operations and customer service. Darrell holds many certifications from leading tire manufacturers, including Michelin and Continental, and has earned a Professional Instructor certificate from Friesen, Kaye and Associates.

Additionally, he is recognized as a Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), underscoring a deep commitment to instructional excellence. An active member of the Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (AMRA/MAP), Darrell also contributes to industry standards through service on one of its technical committees.

The new directors will serve alongside current board members and TIA leadership to advance the association’s mission of promoting tire safety, training, and industry advocacy.

For more information about the Tire Industry Association and its Board of Directors, visit www.tireindustry.org.

Tagged: Tire Industry Advocacy

Tire Industry Association Announces Election of Five Members to Board of Directors