Former Worldwide Director of Environmental Outreach and Strategy for Ford Motor Co Andy Acho Joins Board of Tire International

MONCKS CORNER, S.C., July 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tire International (OTCQB: TRIE) (Pinksheets: TRIE), a tire recycler and maker of rubber products, announced today that Andrew G. Acho has been appointed to the company's board of directors.

Acho recently retired from The Ford Motor Company, where he held various positions for over four decades, most recently as Worldwide Director of Environmental Outreach and Strategy. In this capacity at Ford Acho was responsible for several innovative recycling and re-use programs including the promotion of recycled content in Ford vehicles, environmentally responsible management of facility waste streams, and the recycling of over eight million Firestone Wilderness AT tires that Ford replaced on its vehicles in 2002 to 2005.  

The tire recycling program at over 4,600 Ford and Lincoln/Mercury dealerships allowed for the recycling of over 150 million pounds of rubber that was used in recycled rubber molded products, athletic fields, playgrounds, therapeutic riding arenas, landscaping products and in road construction. None of the tires in this program were landfilled or burned. Many of the recent innovations in the tire recycling industry were a result of this program and most of the independent dealerships have continued to recycle their scrap tires.

In addition, Acho led Ford's global Conservation and Environmental Grants program in more than 40 countries, recognizing organizations and individuals making significant and exemplary contributions to protect and preserve the environment in their regions.

In 1996, Acho was appointed chairman of the Great Lakes Recycle Board, made up of eight Midwest governors, including former governors John Engler (Michigan), Tom Ridge (Pennsylvania) and Tommy Thompson (Wisconsin).

In 2001, Acho was one of the first people to be honored nationally with the Wildlife Habitat Council's (WHC) President's Award for his outstanding commitment to preserve and protect the environment for future generations, and for his global vision of environmental and economic sustainability. Acho was subsequently appointed to the WHC Board of Directors.

Acho is active with numerous educational and environmental organizations supporting a variety of initiatives. He served as Chairman of the Corporate Advisory Board at Smith College's Picker Engineering Program, where women engineers are being educated to be environmentally responsible and socially conscientious. In addition to helping protect the environment, the initiatives Acho champions have enhanced the work environment for employees, benefited surrounding communities, and improved the company's bottom line.

Tire International CFO and Director Marty Sergi said, "Andy is a nationally recognized leader in advancing economically viable recycling applications, and he has continued to serve as a consultant to leading environmental companies and organizations. Andy's expertise in our industry as well as his vast personal networks among environmental and economic leadership bring significant depth to our board. We are delighted to welcome him to our board."

About Tire International Environmental Solutions

Tire International is a publicly traded developmental stage company committed to clean green recycling technology and value added manufacturing. Through innovative process manufacturing, negative cost recycled raw materials and waste-to-value manufacturing into finely crafted products, Tire International plans to become a leader in third generation recycling, the newest American movement in fully integrated clean green recycled products.  The company is committed to creating new jobs and finding new and improved ways to reduce extensive waste tire stockpiles. The company expects to become a leading North American manufacturer of finished products available for export and domestic consumption. Visit the company's website at http://www.tireinternational.net.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" and information provided by Tire International Environmental Solutions, Inc., such as online, printed documents, publications or information available via Tire International Environmental Solutions, Inc's website. It may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, which, if they do not materialize or prove correct, could cause Tire International Environmental Solutions, Inc's results to differ materially from historical results, or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including statements containing the words "planned," "expects," "believes," "strategy," "opportunity," "anticipates," and similar words, including but not limited to, statements regarding corporate plans, strategies and objectives of management; statements regarding products, services or developments; statements regarding future economic conditions; and assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

SOURCE Tire International Environmental Solutions