AMN Drivetime: John Gamauf

AMN Drivetime: John Gamauf

John Gamauf is a 50-year veteran of the tire industry. Starting out with Firestone as a tire buster in the late 60s, he rose through the company’s ranks working in different sales positions for Bridgestone brands until he became president of consumer replacement tires for Bridgestone/Firestone North America consumer tire company in 2003. During his tenure with Bridgestone-Firestone, he was responsible for creating Bridgestone’s Affiliated Dealer Program and helped navigate the company through one of the largest tire recalls in history. Tire dealers know him as “Johnny g” and he is one of the most dynamic, influential and respected individuals in the tire industry.

In this latest episode of AMN Drivetime, Babcox CEO Bill Babcox sits down with Johnny g for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from navigating turbulent career moments to the one piece of advice he would give his younger self. For Gamauf, the greatest lesson he’s learned during his long and varied career is a personal one, he says.

“It’s my gut feeling that goes back to everything that’s all about business and it’s relationships. You know, it doesn’t matter about whether you’re having relationships at home with your wife and your marriage, with your kids, your family, or with your business associates. The core foundation of doing business is relationships,” he shared.

During the podcast, Bill and Johnny g also talk about:

  • 01:44 Career highlights from his 50-year career with Bridgestone-Firestone
  • 05:21 What tire shops were like in the 60s
  • 06:58 Some of the most fascinating “industry firsts” he witnessed during his career
  • 10:13 The inside scoop on the Johnny g & Friends podcast
  • 12:15 The people you meet in a 5-decade career in the tire business (ever heard of Mario Andretti?)
  • 18:11 How Johnny played a role in the Super Bowl halftime show
  • 25:55 Lightning Round

AMN Drivetime is sponsored by Litens.

You May Also Like

Are EV tires all marketing hype?

Tire manufacturers are taking different approaches to how they are marketing EV tires.

Amped-Featured-Image-EP35-Marketing-Hype

Tires wear faster on EVs as a result of the added weight of the vehicle and the near-instant torque provided by the all-electric drivetrain. Can tiremakers really combat this by tweaking the compounding or materials and putting an EV stamp on the sidewall of the tire?

The short answer: Yes! The long answer: Yes... but maybe we're asking the wrong question.

AMN Drivetime: Dr. Thomas Litzinger

Bill Babcox chats with Dr. Thomas Litzinger, who was named executive director of the University of the Aftermarket last fall.

Drivetime_-Litzinger-1400x700-1
AMN Drivetime: Rick Maxwell

Rick and Bill talk about what it means to continue the legacy of a family business.

Drivetime-Maxwell-1400x700-1
AMN Drivetime: Dave Caracci

Dave Caracci is a guy who can wield a wrench as deftly as he can a sales pitch.

Drivetime_-Caracci-1400x700-1
AMN Drivetime: Marc Blackman, Bill Long, Paul McCarthy

In mid-November, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) made a major announcement about a new business structure to better position the organization and the vehicle supplier community for the future. The 118-year-old organization will now operate under one umbrella — MEMA — and will represent automotive and commercial vehicle suppliers with two groups: MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers

Drivetime_-McCarthy-Long-Blackman-1400x700-1

Other Posts

How wireless charging could forever eliminate range anxiety

HEVO founder and CEO Jeremy McCool explains his view on the tie between wireless EV charging and mass EV adoption.

Amped-Featured-Image-EP33-HEVO
The EV battery materials sourcing problem

What innovations could help lessen the detrimental impacts stemming from EV battery manufacturing?

Impact-Featured-Image-1400x700-Sourcing
Navigating the untapped potential of multifamily EV charging

Installing just one EV charger can be a powerful differentiator for multifamily units like apartment buildings.

Amped-Featured-Image-EP32
Why are so many autonomous vehicles also EVs?

There’s a really good reason why manufacturers generally choose all-electric powertrains for their autonomous creations.

Impact-Featured-Image-1400x700-Autonomous