Alton Britt Pons
Alton Britt “Al” Pons built his family business, The Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center, on a solid foundation of kindness and personal relationships. Pons learned the value of great service and community support from his father, who ran an auto supply store in his
hometown of Valdese, North Carolina. The patriarch always allowed customers to pay what they could and extended payments over time, a practice that had a powerful impact on his son. After graduating from UNC in 1958, Pons returned to Chapel Hill in 1964 and purchased Chapel Hill Tire Company from Sion D. Jennings. Pons borrowed money from family to fund the business and proudly paid back the
debt within 12 months. Taking a page from his father’s book, Pons built a strong foundation for the company, treating both employees and
customers with respect and kindness. Employees were trained well and many went on to start their own shops; he sold three locations to the managers who ran them. Pons extended credit to customers and even loaned customers his own car so that they could continue to get around while their car was serviced.
In addition to leading a thriving venture, Pons was active in the community personally and professionally. Chapel Hill Tire supported the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA, Builders of Hope and Young Life, and The Chapel Hill Police Association. Pons served on the volunteer committee for the University Methodist Church and was on the board of the Chapel Hill Tennis Club. Today, Chapel Hill Tire is a full-service operation with shops in Carrboro, Durham and Northern Chatham County. The second generation - sons Marc and Britt - took over when Pons passed away in the mid-1990s, keeping the enterprise in the family. Marc joined the business in 1996 after a career
in New York. Britt had worked at the shop during summers in high school and returned full time in 1998. Under their direction, the
company received the 2012 TIRE REVIEW Top Shop Award, as the best tire center in the country.
For his corporate and community stewardship and his enterprise’s continued contribution to the local economy, we proudly induct Alton Britt “Al” Pons into the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Business Hall of Fame.
hometown of Valdese, North Carolina. The patriarch always allowed customers to pay what they could and extended payments over time, a practice that had a powerful impact on his son. After graduating from UNC in 1958, Pons returned to Chapel Hill in 1964 and purchased Chapel Hill Tire Company from Sion D. Jennings. Pons borrowed money from family to fund the business and proudly paid back the
debt within 12 months. Taking a page from his father’s book, Pons built a strong foundation for the company, treating both employees and
customers with respect and kindness. Employees were trained well and many went on to start their own shops; he sold three locations to the managers who ran them. Pons extended credit to customers and even loaned customers his own car so that they could continue to get around while their car was serviced.
In addition to leading a thriving venture, Pons was active in the community personally and professionally. Chapel Hill Tire supported the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA, Builders of Hope and Young Life, and The Chapel Hill Police Association. Pons served on the volunteer committee for the University Methodist Church and was on the board of the Chapel Hill Tennis Club. Today, Chapel Hill Tire is a full-service operation with shops in Carrboro, Durham and Northern Chatham County. The second generation - sons Marc and Britt - took over when Pons passed away in the mid-1990s, keeping the enterprise in the family. Marc joined the business in 1996 after a career
in New York. Britt had worked at the shop during summers in high school and returned full time in 1998. Under their direction, the
company received the 2012 TIRE REVIEW Top Shop Award, as the best tire center in the country.
For his corporate and community stewardship and his enterprise’s continued contribution to the local economy, we proudly induct Alton Britt “Al” Pons into the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Business Hall of Fame.