Brodsky Dismissal in TRIB’s “best interest”, says Bureau’s President

A quote attributed to recently dismissed Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau managing director Harvey Brodsky has been used in a press release announcing his interim successor. In introducing Marvin Bozarth, who will hold the position during the current period of ‘transition’, TRIB president Michael Berra Jr borrowed a line from a Brodsky speech and stated “there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.”

In this instance, according to Berra, the right thing was to replace Mr. Brodsky. Without detailling the arguments supporting the TRIB Board of Directors’ unanimous decision to terminate his tenure, Berra said the decision was taken “only after long and careful deliberation that such action was in the best interest of TRIB. 
 
“This decision was by no means intended to detract from Mr. Brodsky’s enthusiasm and efforts on behalf of TRIB over the years,” Mr. Berra explained in a press statement. “The Board made a decision based on what we considered compelling factual circumstances, to change leadership.  The Board did offer an alternative to Mr. Brodsky that we sincerely believed would be in his and TRIB’s best interests.  Mr. Brodsky, as is his right, has chosen to proceed down a different path.”

The nature of the factual circumstances or the alternative offered to Harvey Brodsky is not known at this stage, and it appears the former managing director was unaware of any move towards his dismissal prior to the October 6 telephone conference held with Berra and Board members Bob Majewski and Wayne Jackson. Brodsky himself has described the Board’s decision as “extremely ill advised.”
 
“On behalf of my fellow directors, I would like to assure you that the core mission of defending and promoting tyre retreading and repairing continues and will not be sacrificed, and that the TRIB board is taking every step possible to ensure that this transition is a seamless one,” Berra stated. “As I write this, Marvin Bozarth is in the TRIB office, and he has agreed to fill in on an interim basis. As many of you know, Marvin is a well-known industry veteran who possesses decades of experience in the retreading and tyre repairing industry, and you should rest assured that he will serve you well during this transition. The TRIB staff – Rachel and Salina – are both excited and committed to working with Marvin and to the task of making this a smooth transition.  In addition, a search committee has been in place, laying the groundwork to find the best candidate to lead TRIB into the future.”

In conclusion, Mr. Berra expressed his belief that TRIB will emerge from the current situation “a stronger, more dynamic and effective association.”