The Tire Industry Association (TIA) is proud to announce that its CEO, Dick Gust, has joined the inaugural Board of Directors for the Tire Recycling Foundation (TRF), a joint initiative led by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and TIA. The TRF’s mission is to foster innovation, accelerate sustainability, and support research and development efforts to advance tire recycling and the circular economy.

Gust, a long-time advocate for sustainability in the tire industry, will bring his extensive leadership experience to TRF's Board, helping to drive the Foundation’s goal of achieving 100% tire recycling and expanding the market for innovative end-of-life tire (ELT) solutions. The TRF’s inaugural Board includes 15 global leaders with deep expertise in the tire manufacturing, recycling, and transportation sectors, positioning the Foundation to make significant strides in sustainable tire management.

The TRF’s Board will focus on critical initiatives aimed at enhancing tire reuse markets, securing funding for innovation, and advancing the development of emerging technologies like rubber-modified asphalt (RMA), which helps improve the performance and sustainability of road surfaces. The Foundation’s long-term goal is to achieve 100% circularity for end-of-life tires by 2030, a milestone that will have a transformative impact on the environment and the tire industry.

“It is an honor to be part of the Tire Recycling Foundation’s efforts to advance sustainable tire recycling,” said Dick Gust, CEO of TIA. “The tire industry is at a pivotal moment, with tremendous opportunities to improve the circularity of tire products and reduce their environmental footprint. I look forward to working alongside my fellow Board Members and industry stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions and ensure that the tire recycling supply chain continues to evolve for the benefit of both industry and the planet.”

As part of its fundraising efforts, the TRF aims to raise $300,000 in 2025 to support critical projects focused on tire recycling research, education, and demonstration initiatives. A longer-term goal of $2-3 million is set for 2026, to further accelerate the development and deployment of tire recycling solutions across the global supply chain.

The TRF Board members represent a broad range of expertise, from tire manufacturers and recyclers to public policy experts and sustainability leaders, all of whom will contribute to the Foundation’s efforts to drive meaningful change in tire recycling and reclamation practices.

The full list of the TRF Board of Directors includes:

Dr. John Baldwin, Chief Product and Technical Strategist, Discount Tire
Greg Bell, President, Tire Pros/American Tire Distributors
Thomas Boehme, CEO/President, Genan, Inc.
Olivier Brauen, VP Circularity Business Transformation, Michelin
Amy Lestition Burke, Executive Director/CEO, SWANA
Art Dodge, CEO/President, ECORE International
Anne Forristall Luke, President & CEO, USTMA
Terry Galvin, Vice President, Recycling Services Mining Tire Group, Kal Tire
Dick Gust, CEO, TIA
Allie Kelly, Executive Director, The Ray
Maureen Kline, Vice President, Public Affairs and Sustainability, Pirelli Tire LLC
Nicolas Nicolaou, Vice President, End-of-Life Tire Solutions and Sustainability, US Auto Force
Darcy Robison, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Goodyear
Andy Thompson, Global Director of Sustainability Policy, Bridgestone
Thomas Womble, CEO, Liberty Tire Recycling

The Tire Recycling Foundation is committed to advancing tire recycling technologies, supporting education and outreach efforts, and securing funding to ensure that tire recycling becomes an essential part of the global circular economy.

For more information on the Tire Recycling Foundation and its initiatives, please visit https://tirerecyclingfoundation.org.

For more information on tire recycling and management, visit Tire Recycling | USTMA and Tire Recycling Markets | USTMA.

Tagged: TRF

TIA Announces Dick Gust’s Involvement with The Tire Recycling Foundation