Accelerate, the company’s training program for new managers, graduated its first cohort of participants in June. The manager development program brought together employees from every division for a monthly two-day session for four months. Participants learned about team building and cooperative basics, people management, key business measures, and effective leadership.
Betty Levian, store manager of the Break Time in Maryville, Mo., says she is excited to share what she learned with her team, including tips on communicating with varying personality types to achieve their goals.
“The class showed me new ways of doing and seeing things,” Levian says. “I want to use what I learned to help my team grow into the best versions of ourselves.”
Johnnie Howe, Emporia, Kan. plant manager, says Accelerate was enlightening and helped him better understand how each division in the company works together for a common goal.
“I loved the speakers and gained a lot of information I can use to be a better leader,” Howe says. “One of my biggest takeaways was understanding how to better use the tools I already possess to lead myself, my team and our company.”
Jarin Wood, credit manager, says the opportunity to meet and learn from colleagues from across the company’s many divisions was invaluable.
“Accelerate was a great opportunity for both professional and personal growth,” Wood says. “The workplace continues to be fluid, and, as a manager, it’s important to be knowledgeable in various approaches to working with people and developing a strong, unified team. I encourage all managers and staff to take advantage of training programs like Accelerate.”
The next Accelerate class is planned for the spring of 2024.
Inaugural Accelerate Class Participants
Shane Albright – Sr. Store Manager, Big O Tires (Osage Beach, MO)
Kyle Atteberry – Sr. Store Manager, Big O Tires (Jefferson City, MO—Jefferson St.)
Tricia Cahall – Store Manager, Break Time (Columbia, MO—N. Stadium Blvd.)
David Freund – Plant Manager (Neosho, MO)
Trey Glenn – Plant Manager (Warrensburg, MO)
Jason Harville – Plant Manager (Columbia, MO)
Ethan Hedley – Store Manager, Break Time (Bolivar, MO)
Johnnie Howe – Plant Manager (Emporia, KS)
Dwight Hunt – Plant Manager (Lonoke, AR)
Brookston Johnson – Territory Manager, Big O Tires
Betty Leivan – Store Manager, Break Time (Maryville, MO)
Mitch McCleary – Sr. IT Operations Manager
Raiven Murrell – Store Manager, Break Time (Lebanon, MO)
Dalton Oden – Plant Manager (California, MO)
Jeffrey Owens – Solar Manager, BluSphere Energy
Matt Quinn – Store Manager, Break Time (Miner, MO)
Mike San Agustin – Store Manager, Big O Tires (Kansas City, MO—Englewood Rd.)
Rusty Shipley – Plant Manager (Mountain Home, AR)
Matt Smith – Territory Manager, Big O Tires
Thomas Smotherman – Plant Manager (Sikeston, MO)
Robert Stewart – Plant Manager (Bernie, MO)
Jarin Wood – Credit Manager
Shae Wrisinger – Plant Manager (Lexington, MO)