The Tire Industry Association (TIA) announced today that Marvin Bozarth, senior technical consultant, will officially retire at the upcoming 2018 Off-the-Road (OTR) Tire Conference. Bozarth has been with TIA since 1990 and served as the executive director of the American Retreaders Association (ARA) and International Tire and Rubber Association (ITRA) from 1991-2002. Bozarth took on the role as senior technical consultant in 2002 and has been the primary resource for all TIA members involved in the retreading and repairing industries.

“We are grateful for the decades of service that Marvin has provided the membership and wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his life,” said Roy Littlefield, TIA executive vice president. “Marvin and I have worked together since he started with the association and his knowledge of the industry has played a crucial role in all of our government affairs efforts. He is an industry icon who will be missed by everyone in the tire business.”

During this year’s OTR Conference, Bozarth will speak on the future of the retreading and repairing industries at the general sessions and, on Thursday, Feb. 22, he will give his final presentation as a member of the TIA staff. It will mark almost three decades with the association and serve as his farewell to the industry. The 63rd annual OTR Conference will be held Feb. 21-24 at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

“Marvin has helped so many people over his career that we wanted to make sure he had a chance to take the stage one last time,” said Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training. “It’s an opportunity for him to give attendees his insight into the future of the industry and to thank those who have helped him along the way. Anyone who knows Marvin knows that OTR retreading is his first love in the tire business, so his retirement at the OTR Conference and a spot on the program were a natural fit.”