You’ve seen the commercials. You know the "Always There When You Need Us" jingle. If you live anywhere between the Maine coast and the Connecticut suburbs, the Sullivan Tire brand is basically part of the scenery. But lately, folks have been asking more about the man behind the marketing. Specifically, everyone wants to know about Paul Sullivan Sullivan Tire age and how long he’s been the face of those neighborhood garages.
The truth is, Paul Sullivan isn’t just a corporate figurehead. He’s one of the original Sullivan kids who literally grew up in the bays of a Rockland, Massachusetts, garage.
How Old is Paul Sullivan?
To get straight to the point: Paul Sullivan is 75 years old as of early 2026.
He was born into a massive Irish-Catholic family—one of ten children. If you’re looking for a specific birth year, he was born around 1950. While many people his age are busy perfected their golf swing or moved down to Florida, Paul is still incredibly active in the company his father, Robert J. "Bob" Sullivan, started back in 1955.
He doesn't look his age. Maybe it’s the New England air or the constant hustle of managing 100+ locations, but Paul has maintained a high-energy presence that makes him seem years younger. He’s currently serving as the Vice Chair of the company, though his influence stretches far beyond a title on a business card.
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From Changing Tires in the Rain to the Boardroom
Paul didn’t start at the top. Far from it.
Back in the late 50s and 60s, being a Sullivan meant you worked. Paul often tells stories about being a teenager just out of high school, changing heavy truck tires outside in freezing New England sleet. There was no fancy climate-controlled bay back then. Just a small "shack" in Rockland and a lot of hard work.
- 1955: Bob Sullivan opens the first shop with a "treat everyone like family" mantra.
- The 1970s: Paul and his brothers take on more leadership as the "Sullivan Boys."
- 2023: A massive shift occurs—the family decides to give the company back to the people.
Honestly, the most interesting thing about Paul Sullivan isn't just his age; it's what he did when he reached "retirement" years. Most owners would have sold to a massive private equity firm or a national conglomerate. They could have walked away with hundreds of millions.
Instead, Paul and his brother Robert D. Sullivan made a move that shocked the industry.
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Why Paul Sullivan Still Matters in 2026
In November 2023, the family transitioned Sullivan Tire to a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Basically, they made the 1,500+ employees the owners.
Paul was 73 at the time of that announcement. Most people at 73 are looking for an exit strategy that involves the least amount of stress. But Paul stayed on as Vice Chair to help navigate this new era. He’s been very vocal about why they did it: "We have enough money. You can have too much... that’s called greed."
That’s a rare sentiment in the 2026 business landscape.
It explains why you still see him at ribbon cuttings and local chamber of commerce meetings. He’s not just "the tire guy." He’s a guy who cares about the legacy of his father’s name. He's often seen in his home base of Plymouth, Massachusetts, or traveling to the Manchester Millyard to talk shop with other business owners.
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The Sullivan Family Today
It’s worth noting that the family has faced its share of loss. Of the original ten Sullivan siblings, only six are still with us today. This reality of aging and the passing of time is likely what sparked the decision to move toward employee ownership. They wanted to ensure that when the "Sullivan boys" were finally gone, the "family" feel of the shops wouldn't disappear under a corporate hedge fund.
Actionable Insights for Sullivan Tire Customers
If you're looking for more than just a biography, here’s how the leadership of Paul Sullivan actually affects your next oil change or tire rotation:
- Longevity Breeds Trust: Because Paul and the executive team (including CEO Joe Zaccheo) have been there for decades, the service isn't "transactional." They still use the "Treat them like family" rule from 1955.
- Employee-Owned Benefits: Since the workers are now owners, they have a literal stake in your satisfaction. If they do a bad job, it hurts their own stock.
- Transparency: Paul’s philosophy has always been face-to-face communication. If you have an issue at a local shop, they are known for actually listening rather than hiding behind a corporate 1-800 number.
Whether Paul Sullivan is 75 or 95, his impact on New England business is permanent. He’s managed to bridge the gap between the "old school" grit of the 1950s and the modern, employee-centric business models of today.
To see the legacy in action, you can visit any of their 100+ locations across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maine. Look for the 70th-anniversary signage through 2025 and 2026—a milestone very few family businesses ever reach.