MTD Publisher Greg Smith (right) is presented the Ed Wagner Leadership Award by Roy Littlefield, executive vice president of the Tire Industry Association.
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) presented the Ed Wagner Leadership Award to Modern Tire Dealer Publisher Greg Smith. He was recognized at TIA's Tire Industry Honors event on Nov. 4, 2013, one day prior to the Global Tire Expo and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Nev.
The award is named in honor of the late Ed Wagner who was a strong voice in the tire industry for the entirety of his career.
"I never thought my name would be mentioned in the same sentence with Ed Wagner. He was a great individual," Smith said upon accepting the honor. He shared his memories of meeting Wagner at the first tire industry trade show he attended in 1979.
"We don't just follow this industry; we are a part of this industry," he said in reference to his colleagues at Modern Tire Dealer.
"I've watched this industry grow from being a United States industry to a global industry. This industry keeps the American public on the road safely. I'm so proud to be a part of this industry."
From his early years in the market, Smith has participated on industry committees and boards. Among the early ones were Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association. He also worked with the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association, SEMA and TIA (formerly the National Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association and the Tire Association of North America).
"I have a picture in my office of my uncle who was a tire dealer and the calendar in the background says 1921. I love this industry," Smith told TIA members at the honors event.
