[Gear Up!] Employee Spotlight Series Part 3 - Paul Jho

Meet some of our staff members from around the world through our employee highlight series. Learn about their roles at our organization, their favorite aspects of work, how they've developed their careers, the obstacles they confront, and much more.

Discover our culture, people, and working methods!

NEXEN TIRE sat down with leading experts from the motorsports divisions in the Korea, Europe, and the United States offices.

Meet our third interviewee Paul Jho, NEXEN TIRE America's Specialty Tire and Motorsports Director.

Paul has been playing a central role for NEXEN TIRE to increase its footprint in the world of drift racing in the United States.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? 

For the past 30 years, since 1992, I have worked in the automotive industry. I began at a performance shop but quickly moved on to various manufacturer brands, including those for suspension, race teams, aero kits, engine components, and tires as a motorsport specialist.

I've managed everything from sales to marketing to technical advisor to hosting events.

What is it like to be a part of NEXEN TIRE? 

It has been great to be a part of NEXEN TIRE. In order to create the best environment for all of us, the company has always been about improving the business as a whole while concentrating on the product and internal culture. It's exciting to learn and to have the chance to offer suggestions when there are so many talented people around.

What do you do at NEXEN and in what circumstances would I come to you for something? 

I am accountable for a number of roles. My primary responsibility at NEXEN TIRE is selling race tires, so I have a significant impact on the motorsports strategy.

I oversee numerous motorsports competitions, such as EXPO, off-road racing, and drifting.

Currently, I also oversee specialty tire sales, which entails marketing and supplying road racing and off-road tires to specialized retailers. All of these topics are open for discussion, and I can also provide technical guidance based on each vehicle's settings.

<Drivers Forsberg (left) and Tuerck (right) with NEXEN TIRE Paul Jho>

What led you to this career? 

Automobile racing is both my hobby and my passion. I jumped at the chance to apply what I know and relate to the last and most crucial component of motorsport, the tires, without giving it a second thought.

Being passionate about motorsports is one thing, but learning and putting strategies to use will help me achieve both my professional and personal goals of working for a great tire company like nt.

What do you like the most about your job? 

With all of my coworkers, I like the direction NEXEN TIRE is taking. Any of our company's goals must be accomplished through collaboration between teams and work.

What I enjoy most about my job is having internal engagement when speaking with coworkers but also being able to apply to the customers with our product and branding.

Do you have any unique skills that you feel play a part in your growth as a job position? or Tell us something we don’t know? 

I wouldn't say I have any special abilities, but I do stand out from the crowd, which has helped me expand my industry network. Meeting new people is simple, but connecting with them and making friends is more difficult, something I strive to do from amateur racing all the way up to Formula 1.

I realize this is somewhat private, but I do have alopecia, which causes body-wide hair loss. When I was younger, having alopecia was a personal challenge for me, but now that I'm older and have a professional career, it has made me stand out, which has helped me advance not only professionally but also personally.