MH Pridgen opened Master Tire Service in 1972 as a four bay tire and auto service shop. Before long the name was changed to Master Tire & Auto Service to let customers know we did more than just tires. In 1981 the name was changed again to Pridgen Tire & Auto Center and business has been growing ever since. In 1986, MH added on 2 more bays to the original building at 3521 Sunset Ave for a total of six service bays. In 1989, Steve returned home from the US Air Force to become the tire center service manager. In 1991, MH added another building next door at 3517 Sunset Ave that contained six additional service bays. Jeff returned home in 1992 from Desert Shield and the US Navy to become the Auto Center Service manager. With 12 service bays there was plenty of space to do any necessary work. MH retired in 1998 and turned the business over to Jeff and Steve. MH still works some with us when needed. After the 9-11 attacks the Air Force recalled Steve to active duty for 2 years in 2001-2003 MH was recalled to work to assist Jeff. When Steve returned home from Afghanistan in July 2003 MH announced he was retiring again. MH spends alot of his time volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America and serves on the Eagle board and several scouting committees. MH earned his Eagle Scout award as a youth in The Troop 11. MH is shown here with his wife Diana at the end of the Appalachian Trail in Maine.

Steve has worked at the store off and on for most of his life. Tire dust got in his veins early playing at the old Pridgen Tire on North Church Street with Jeff and working at the current location as a teen. Steve joined the US Air Force in 1982 and served on active duty until 1989 when he came home to become the tire side service manager. Steve remained in the US Air Force Reserve until 2006 when he retired as a Master Sergeant after 23 years of Service. Steve was activated after the 9-11 attacks and spent 7 months in Afghanistan. Steve is married to Susan Varnell Pridgen and has 2 daughters Becca and Taylor. Steve is currently a Boy Scout Assistant Scoutmaster with The Troop 11 here in Rocky Mount. Steve earned his Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America in 1978.

Jeff started off working at the store in his teens until he joined the US Navy in 1986. Jeff served as a Rescue Swimmer and as an Anti-Submarine Warfare Operator until he came home in 1992 to become the Auto Center Service Manager. Jeff is a veteran of Desert Shield. Jeff joined the NC National Guard a few years after returning to Rocky Mount and recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jeff is married to Tracy Pridgen and has a son, Christian and two daughters Lauren and Savannah. Jeff is also serves as a Cub Scout Den Leader. Jeff earned his Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America in 1978.

Jimmy Johnson performs duties as a service technician in the tire service center. Jimmy does oil changes, tire repairs and installation, wheel balancing, transmission flushes, radiator service and NC Safety and Emission Inspections and a whole lot more.

David Treadway performs duties as a service tecnician in the tire center. David performs duties such as oil changes, brake jobs, tire installation and service, radiator flushes, transmisson flushes, NC Safety Inspections and Emission Inspections and much more.

James Medlin performs duties as an automotive techncian in the automotive repair center. James is a master mechanic and performs services such as: computer diagnostics, computer wheel alignment, tune ups, timing belts, exhaust repairs/muffler installation, ac service, radiator replacement, fan belts, heater hoses and much more.

Fred Taylor serves as an automotive techncian in the automotive repair center. Fred handles repairs such as: Computer wheel alignments, brake service, computer diagnostics, tune ups, radiator replacement or service, fan belts, heater hoses and much more.

Jonathan Weaver performs duties as an automotive technician in the automotive repair center. Jonathan performs jobs such as: computer alignments, brake service, tune ups, water pumps, belt and hose replacement,cv axles, radiator service and much more.