90 Years. 90 Stories.

Jay Shump

Jay Shump is the VP of Sales for Purcell Tire and has been with the company for a year.

Even though my time with Purcell as an employee has been relatively short, my connection to the company goes back much further. During my 30 years with Michelin, I spent nearly a decade calling on Purcell, primarily in the Earthmover business. My first real experience with the Purcell culture came during a visit with Paul Long, then VP of Purchasing—this was before Roger stepped into the CEO role. Paul was reviewing a program I was presenting when, mid-conversation, he stopped and said, “Come with me.” We walked straight down to Juanita’s office. Paul turned to me and said, “Tell her what you just told me.” So, I did. What followed was a series of direct, pointed questions—delivered with a level of clarity that only Juanita could bring. It quickly became obvious that our program had some holes, and she had no problem making that clear. In short order, I was politely (but very definitively) sent packing. As Paul and I walked out, I looked at him and said, “I understand now.” That moment—and many others like it—gave me a front-row seat to what makes Purcell different. I had the opportunity to watch the company grow with the “House (OTR Retread Shop) that Bob Built”, but more importantly, I began to understand the values driving that growth. There was a standard—high expectations, accountability, and a commitment to doing things the right way. But what stood out even more over time was how Purcell took care of its people. Not just in business, but in life. When challenges came up, people showed up for each other. It wasn’t just talk—it was real. Now, being part of the Purcell family, that meaning hits differently. What I saw from the outside, I now get to experience from the inside. And it’s clear that the Purcell brand isn’t just about what we do—it’s about who we are: people who trust each other, support each other, and take pride in being part of something that truly feels like family.