Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers Completes Leadership Transition, Appoints Derek Basile as CEO
Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers, a well-established automotive service provider and tire retailer, has officially completed its planned leadership transition, appointing Derek Basile as its new Chief Executive Officer. This move marks a significant milestone in the company’s long-term succession strategy as it continues to expand its footprint and strengthen its position in the automotive service industry.
Basile steps into the CEO role following the leadership of Frank Kneller, who will transition into the position of Executive Chairman. In his new role, Kneller will remain actively involved in guiding the company’s strategic direction, particularly in areas such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), ensuring continuity as Dobbs moves into its next phase of growth.
The appointment of Basile reflects a carefully executed succession plan designed to support the company’s rapid expansion while maintaining operational excellence. Basile originally joined Dobbs in early 2024 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), where he played a pivotal role in enhancing financial performance and supporting key strategic initiatives. His contributions during this period were instrumental in helping the company navigate a phase of accelerated growth.
In 2025, Basile’s responsibilities expanded when he was also appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this dual capacity, he took on broader leadership responsibilities across the organization, helping to streamline operations and build a scalable platform capable of supporting both organic growth and acquisitions. His combined experience in finance and operations positioned him as a natural successor to lead the company forward.
Under the leadership of Kneller and the broader Dobbs executive team, the company has experienced remarkable growth over the past two years. Dobbs has more than tripled its location count, expanding from 43 locations to over 150. This expansion has been driven by a combination of same-store sales growth, strategic rebuilding of existing locations, greenfield site development, and a series of acquisitions—seven in total.
This aggressive growth strategy has also resulted in the company more than doubling its revenue during the same period. The expansion reflects Dobbs’ commitment to scaling its operations while continuing to deliver high-quality automotive services and tire solutions to a growing customer base.
Derek Basile expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to lead the company and emphasized his commitment to building upon its strong foundation. He acknowledged the leadership of Frank Kneller and Dustin Dobbs, as well as the broader team, highlighting the company’s long-standing values and dedication to quality.
“For over 50 years, Dobbs has been defined by its values and commitment to quality,” said Basile. “I am honored to build on the strong foundation established by Frank, Dustin Dobbs, and the rest of the team. I look forward to leading the company into its next chapter of growth while continuing to deliver exceptional service to our customers and opportunities for our associates.”
His comments reflect a clear focus on both customer experience and employee development—two key pillars that have supported Dobbs’ expansion strategy. As the company continues to grow, maintaining these core values will be essential to sustaining its reputation and competitive edge in the automotive service sector.
Outgoing CEO Frank Kneller also expressed confidence in Basile’s leadership, praising his contributions to the company and his ability to build a strong operational foundation. Kneller highlighted Basile’s role in developing a scalable platform and assembling a high-performing team capable of supporting Dobbs’ ambitious growth plans.
“Derek has been a critical leader in building a world-class team and scalable operating platform,” said Kneller. “Dobbs is exceptionally well positioned for continued growth under his leadership.”
The leadership transition comes at a time when Dobbs is focused on expanding its presence in the automotive service industry through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The company’s ability to integrate new locations and maintain consistent service standards has been a key factor in its rapid expansion.
With Basile at the helm and Kneller continuing in an advisory capacity as Executive Chairman, Dobbs is expected to maintain its momentum while pursuing new opportunities in existing and new markets. The leadership team’s combined expertise in finance, operations, and strategy positions the company to navigate evolving market conditions and capitalize on future growth opportunities.
Looking ahead, Dobbs is likely to continue its focus on expanding its network of service centers, enhancing operational efficiency, and strengthening its M&A strategy. The company’s recent performance suggests a strong foundation for sustained growth, supported by a leadership team aligned around long-term value creation.
As the automotive service industry continues to evolve—with increasing demand for vehicle maintenance, tire services, and advanced automotive solutions—companies like Dobbs are well positioned to benefit from ongoing industry trends. With a new CEO in place and a proven leadership structure, Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers is poised to enter its next phase of expansion with confidence and strategic clarity.
About Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers (Dobbs)
Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers, based in St. Louis, MO, is an independent tire and auto service provider with more than 150 locations across 8 states. Since its inception in 1976, the company has differentiated itself as a “one-stop-shop” for tires and services with a loyal customer base offering a variety of name-brand tires and a complete range of automotive maintenance services with market leading customer service.
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