Rick Wheeler
Pensacola,FL
Summary
High-profile professional historically successful at leveraging career experience to enhance organizational productivity and efficiency, effectively lead, and support sales, operations, services and solutions. Along with thriving in challenging, ever-changing environments, I bring a track record as an accomplished business leader with over 25 years of management, sales strategy and operational experience in the retail, commercial and wholesale tire industry. Proven ability to evaluate, develop and initiate action plans in order to achieve stated objectives.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Business Development
Penn Tire Solutions
05.2025 - Current
- Developed strategic partnerships to enhance market presence and drive revenue growth.
- Identified new market opportunities through comprehensive analysis of industry trends and competitor activities.
- Developed customized solutions tailored specifically to individual client needs, leading to an increase in repeat business engagements.
- Increased client base by developing and implementing effective business development strategies.
- Evaluated performance metrics to refine strategies and improve overall effectiveness of business initiatives.
Vice-President National Sales
Tire Group International, LLC.
03.2019 - Current
- 100% responsible for product launch of TGI's new tire line for the USA, Cosmo
- Development of distribution channel for Cosmo line through new network of wholesale/retail partners and expansion of existing dealer channel
- Oversee team of regional sales managers throughout the USA: sales/support training, supply chain support, market analysis and development, customer relation/support skills
- Major account development/management: direct contact with strategic accounts across the USA to foster growth/develop distribution channel for brands
- Link between factory and customer to facilitate better communication and exceed customer needs and expectations as quickly as possible
Division Sales Director
Kumho Tire USA
11.2016 - 01.2019
- Responsible for sales planning, major account management, and coordination of three regional sales managers within the Southeast Division (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida)
- Revitalized struggling Southeast Division by spearheading sales efforts, managing hiring and training, and mentoring two new regional sales managers. Over the two years managing the division, no other division in the country signed up more new businesses or reactivated more inactive customers.
- Developed a strategic plan for divisional sales team and the separate regions within the division that aligned with corporate objectives of increased unit sales, new customer growth and profitability
Director of Commercial Business, Southeast Division
Tire Centers, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Michelin Tire Company)
12.2011 - 10.2016
- Directed overall operations of the Southeast Division. Responsibilities included: major account management, sales, operations, human resources, training, associate development and career planning, strategic business planning and forecasting
- Led a successful turnaround effort of the Southeast Division, displaying exceptional leadership skills after being recruited for this purpose
- Instrumental in turning one of the largest commercial truck center operations from a massive profit loss into a profit center
- Increased yearly business unit sales by over $4M through the acquisition of new major account business partners
Various Positions
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
04.1989 - 11.2011
- Goodyear Retail Division (1989 to 1998): Service Manager, Store Manager, Store Manager Team Leader and Center Manager Trainer
- Guided underperforming locations to a profitable position in a short period of time, earning the reputation of a 'turnaround' specialist. High level of achievement led to the offer to oversee two large commercial truck operations simultaneously (the first time anyone coming into the division secured this opportunity).
- Goodyear Commercial Division (1998 to 2011): Commercial Center Manager, Metro Manager, Assistant Regional Director, Regional Sales Manager and Regional Director
- Responsible for the overall segment operations of one of five commercial business regions within Goodyear's Wingfoot Commercial Tire and Service Centers, LLC. Was one of two in the organization to be selected for assistant region director role, leapfrogging five individuals with longer tenure in the process.
- Headed turnaround of northern California locations. Over a two-year period, improved overall profitability through increased sales and operational controls, enabling the group to move from -$600K in profit to +$800K.
- Put a team in place that enabled a previously underperforming region to move from a loss position to the #2 profit-producing region within two years. Efforts around talent acquisition, training, corrective action plans and associate accountability combined together to develop a high-performing team in a short amount of time.
Education
Bachelor of Science - accounting/finance
Western State College
Gunnison, COMichelin Vision Program -
Greenville, SC01.2012
Michelin Challenge Program -
Greenville, SC01.2016
Skills
- Sales leadership
- Change management
- Strategic planning
- Analytical planning
- Multi-unit leadership
- Store operations
- Business strategy
- Business implementation
- Training
- Team-building
- Process enhancement
- Performance management
- Client relationship management
- New business expansion
- Account management
- Budget responsibility
- Client retention
- Problem resolution
- Relationship-building
- Customer retention
- Communication skills
- Negotiation skills
- Consultative selling
- B2B relationships
- Creative problem solving
- Strategy implementation
Timeline
Director of Business Development
Penn Tire Solutions
05.2025 - Current
Vice-President National Sales
Tire Group International, LLC.
03.2019 - Current
Division Sales Director
Kumho Tire USA
11.2016 - 01.2019
Director of Commercial Business, Southeast Division
Tire Centers, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Michelin Tire Company)
12.2011 - 10.2016
Various Positions
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
04.1989 - 11.2011
Michelin Vision Program -
Michelin Challenge Program -
Bachelor of Science - accounting/finance
Western State College