Everything about vehicles is changing: from how we buy them, to how we use them, to whether we will drive them or they will drive us. The needs of the auto industry and the consumer are changing along with these trends. Traction Summit is the definitive meeting place to discuss and understand future opportunities for tires, and to make the connections needed to capitalize on those prospects. With a unique blend of speakers and attendees from throughout the full tire supply chain, including tire sensor startups, the world’s leading tire manufacturers, and the voice of the customer from fleets, aftermarket, and OEMs, Traction Summit is unlike any conference in the tire sector.
Smithers has been in the Tire testing market since the 1920’s and has a very strong brand for independent expert opinion on tire performance. Along with presenting leading industry information at Traction Summit, with over 90 years of expertise in rubber testing, Smithers provides custom tire analysis and standard testing to meet your requirements. Learn More About Tire Testing >>>
Bio coming soon!
Jay is the Director of Standards and Regulations for Continental Tire, the Americas located in Fort Mill, SC. He is responsible for all tire regulatory and standardization work throughout North and South America and represents Continental within numerous industry organizations including the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the Tire and Rim Association. Jay has been with Continental for over 15 years with leadership roles in product development, technical product management and racing development. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineer from Clemson University - home of the 2016 College Football National Champions.
Dr. John M. Baldwin is the Assistant Vice President for Discount Tire based out of Scottsdale, Arizona. Prior to joining Discount Tire, Baldwin acted as Senior Managing Scientist in Exponent’s Vehicle Engineering practice. His expertise includes polymer science and technology, specializing in the synthesis, compounding, degradation (chemical/physical) and testing of elastomer, plastic, adhesive and foam based systems. Earlier in his career, Dr. Baldwin worked in the research laboratory of Ford Motor, where he became internationally recognized for his research on the topics of tire aging, tire test development, tire service life prediction, and the use of nitrogen as a tire inflation media. He previously worked in the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Department. He previously worked for the 3M Company where he developed and serviced a line of two-part structural epoxy adhesives. He holds an appointment as an adjunct associate professor of chemistry at Oakland University in Rochester, MI. He received his PhD in polymer science at The University of Akron and his BS in Chemistry at the University of Detroit.
Doug Terrill is currently the Test Team Manager for the America Technical Center of Hankook Tire and Technology Co., Ltd. in Uniontown, OH. Doug began his career with Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation wheel and brake division as a technical writer and product development engineer. He has more than 20 years of experience in wheel and brake design in the aircraft and commercial vehicle market and over twelve years of experience in tire testing. Doug holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University as well as an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. He is a former member of the Tire and Rim Association, serving on the Truck / Bus committee and an SAE member serving on the Wheel Standards Committee and the Truck Bus Wheel Committee.
Brent leads the automotive supplier practice at J.D. Power. He is responsible for representing J.D. Power within the automotive supply industry and consulting with clients on finding research based solutions to product and customer issues and helping clients grow their businesses through improving products and the customer experience.
Prior to J.D. Power, Brent held senior level positions at research and consulting firms, focusing on product and service improvements based on voice of customer feedback.
Dr. James A. Popio is Vice President of Operations - North America in the United States. Prior to this he was Vice President and General Manager of Smithers Rapra and Smithers Pira in the United Kingdom; and before that he was General Manager and Director of Engineering at Smithers Ravenna Laboratory in Ohio.
Popio has worked with the tire and rubber industry for 20 years and has spent his professional career working for and/or with tire companies, tire dealers, automotive OEMs, industry suppliers, manufacturers, standards organizations and government agencies.
He has extensive experience in tire performance, characterization, and methods development. His specialist areas of expertise are force and moment, endurance, aging, compliance, indoor wear, rolling resistance, and characterization for modeling. Jim is a regular contributor to industry journals as well as a chair and speaker at major tire and rubber conferences.
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