Larry Morgan, Terry Westhafer chosen for enshrinement into the TIA Hall of Fame

Two new inductees have been selected by the Tire Industry Association for enshrinement into the TIA Hall of Fame. They are Larry Morgan, CEO of Morgan Auto Group and chairman emeritus of Morgan Tire & Auto, which does business as Tires Plus based in Tampa, Fla.; and Terry Westhafer, president and general manager of Central Tire Corp. in Verona, Va.

Morgan, who is a former TIA president, was chosen for his 43 years of service to the tire industry, which includes his tenure as CEO of Merchant’s Tire, where he grew the chain from eight stores to 137 stores. He also grew Tires Plus into a 600-store chain in 27 states with annual sales of $1 billion. He was a leader in making tire service centers more responsive to consumer needs, including implementing extended service hours to include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Westhafer, who has a 46-year history in the tire industry, was chosen for many years of service to various tire organizations, including TIA, the American Retreaders Association (where he was a former president), the International Tire and Rubber Association, the Tire Retread Information Bureau, and the Virginia Automotive Association. He was also active in state and federal study committees on a number of issues relating to tires, including his work with the Virginia State Police, which did an analysis of the source of tire scraps on highways.

Two other have also been chosen for induction into the TIA Hall of Fame as “Historical Contributors:” Francois Michelin, managing general partner (retired) of Groupe Michelin; and Joe Esco, founder of Esco Tire Co. of Oklahoma City.

Michelin was chosen for his lifetime of service to the tire industry, which includes his support for the advancement of radial tire technology. Esco was selected for his contributions to tire retreading, including his service as a former president of the National Tire Retread Dealers Association (which was a forerunner to TIA).

Additionally, TIA’s 2008 Friend of the Industry Award recipient is Harold Herzlich, president of Herzlich Consulting, LLC in Las Vegas. This award recognizes well-known individuals who are allies and proven supporters of the tire industry. They are not part of the tire industry, but have affected it positively in some manner.

TIA Hall of Fame inductees are selected on the basis of seven criteria, which include their distinguished and exemplary service in the industry, the respect of their peers and their contribution of new ideas, practices and/or innovations that promote the health and well-being of the industry. They are chosen by a committee of eight TIA Board members.

The Hall of Fame inductions will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4 in Las Vegas  prior to the opening of TIA’s Tires, Wheels & Equipment (TWE/SEMA) Show. The presentation will be held during TIA’s Breakfast with the President, scheduled from 6:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Tickets for the event are $35 and are available online at www.tireindustry.org/events.asp.