Vernon, BC - Monday, March 4, 2024
Veteran tire industry leader, Corey Parks, succeeds Robert Foord as president
After 15 years as president of Kal Tire and 37 years with the company his father founded, Robert Foord is transitioning to the role of executive vice-chair of the board – and Corey Parks, a long-time industry leader, has assumed the role of president as of March 1, 2024.
Parks is an accomplished senior executive with more than 22 years of experience in successive leadership positions with Les Schwab Tire Centers in the US, with his most recent roles being chief administrative officer, executive vice president, secretary and general counsel. His hands-on operating experience, touching nearly every aspect of the business, and his long-term commitment to working closely with a dynamic family ownership group, serves as a solid foundation for him to be the next president of Kal Tire.
“Corey is an exceptional leader, communicator and relationship builder—and he’s someone who strongly aligns with the values and culture of Kal Tire,” says Robert Foord, adding Kal Tire will remain a private, family-owned business. “Our family remains as committed as ever to the long-term success of the company, and we are excited for him to join the team.”
Parks joined Kal Tire in September 2023 as a member of the Senior Management Team. He’s spent the last six months touring much of Kal Tire’s vast Canadian store network and international mining operations.
“This is a company I’ve respected deeply throughout my career, so I’m humbled and honoured by the opportunity to build on the legacy of Robert Foord,” says Parks. He and his wife, Michelle, now proudly live permanently in Vernon, BC, where Kal Tire is based. “As we look to the future, I hope to offer not just continuity but also new opportunities for team members around the world to excel in their roles and exceed every customer’s expectations—even, and especially, as our industry evolves.”
