He entered the harness racing world working as an accountant for the vast Hanover Shoe empire, but he steadily advanced his talents and prospects over the years, mostly through his own hard work and determination. He served in several major roles in the Standardbred Horse Sales Company starting in 1968, was promoted to President of Hanover Shoe Farms in 1992, and took over as Chairman of Hanover from 1998 until his death last year. Spears is one of the most successful amateur drivers of all-time, winning the Billings title seven times and also taking the $100,000 Nat Ray with his own Chadwick Hanover, which he drove. Spears served on the board of almost every major organization in the sport, often in a leadership role, and closer to his home, he was the guiding light of the local YMCA for 45 years.