AMERICUS — South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) made the University of Georgia Terry College of Business “Terry Magazine” Spring 2017 issue in the cover story on Mark Kauffman and Kauffman Tire Company.  The article was titled, “Runs in the Family: Mark Kauffman (BBA ’84) continues to grow his 81-year-old family business.
Kauffman Tire is a family owned and operated retail and wholesale tire distribution company which was founded in 1936. Kauffman Tire partnered with SGTC to provide educational training and internships that can lead to great career opportunities with the third-generation company.
Mark Kauffman is a 1984 bachelor of business administration graduate of the University of Georgia Terry College of Business. The article in the “Terry Magazine” highlights how Kauffman “grew up” with the business. He relates adventures that he enjoyed as a young boy with his grandfather and father in Ohio and then later in Atlanta.
The 55-year-old president and CEO of the 81-year-old privately-held family business is the third-generation leader of the business which “is still growing like a start-up while remaining fiercely independent in a world of conglomerates gobbling up companies like holiday chocolates.”
Kauffman pointed out that Terry College prepared him for every aspect of running his business, well beyond his accounting major; marketing for selling in stores and through advertising, management for running the business and dealing with employees, and real estate for finding locations for new stores. He also talked about the importance of giving back and how his family had passed that intrinsic desire on to him to give back to the communities they serve. Kauffman “merged his philanthropic streak with practicality by forging his way into education.”
One of those educational partnerships includes SGTC in Americus.
“Kauffman Tire also has a partnership with South Georgia Technical College in Americus that provides a 10-week program in automotive technology. South Georgia Tech has invested $1.5 million into a new building for the program, which can train up to 40 students at a time. Kauffman Tire covers the cost of on-campus housing and meals, plus any tuition costs not covered by Pell Grants or the HOPE Scholarship. Graduates receive certification as automotive chassis and climate control specialists,” wrote Doug Monroe in the Terry College article.
SGTC provides training for the Kauffman Tire technicians through its automotive chassis and climate control specialist classes in the automotive technology program. Graduates of this technical certificate of credit program become technician interns and are guaranteed an interview with the company for a temporary, part-time or full-time position. Graduates also have the potential to apply for the technical, sales, or management career paths. Students receive hands-on training in Kauffman Tire labs and stores.
Kauffman Tire is a leader in the industry in retail, wholesale, commercial and E-commerce division. They are looking for individuals with a strong work ethic, positive attitude and entrepreneurial spirit. Kauffman Tire’s expansive business model provides employment opportunities to people of all educational and professional backgrounds with opportunity for career advancement within the company.