In an announcement at the 2024 OTR Tire Conference, Keith Jarman, the President of the Tire Industry Association (TIA), unveiled plans to honour the legacy of industry pioneer Marvin Bozarth by establishing the Marvin Bozarth ETS Technician of the Year award.
Honouring an Industry Legend
Jarman took attendees on a journey back to the inception of TIA’s tyre technician training programme, a project that Bozarth passionately advocated for over thirty years ago. Bozarth’s hands-on approach and unwavering commitment to technician education have been instrumental in developing TIA’s esteemed training and certification process.
Jarman expressed his desire to honour the technicians working with OTR tyres and wheels, stating, “It is my honour to announce that TIA will be recognising the Marvin Bozarth ETS Technician of the Year at next year’s conference.”
To be eligible for this distinguished award, individuals must be TIA members and have completed the 200-Level Commercial Tyre Service (CTS) and Earthmover Tyre Service (ETS) programmes. Each TIA member company is given the chance to nominate one OTR technician for the award. The TIA Board of Directors will select finalists, and the winner will be chosen by an anonymous committee consisting of OTR manufacturers and suppliers.
“The winner will receive the rock star treatment they so richly deserve,” Jarman emphasized. They and a guest will be flown to the 2025 OTR Tire Conference, and TIA will cover their registration fee, hotel accommodation, travel expenses, and taxes.
Jarman recalled Bozarth’s pivotal role in championing technician training and education in the industry’s formative years. “With the support of the people in this room, we can honour his memory by recognising an OTR technician who embodies everything that he stood for,” Jarman concluded, underlining the collective effort required to continue Bozarth’s legacy.
