Towing Service Operators Named AAA's Highway Heroes for 2002

    ORLANDO, Fla.--July 17, 2002--AAA, the nation's largest provider of emergency road service, has named 15 of its towing service providers AAA's Highway Heroes for 2002.
    "These exemplary businessmen and women represent the backbone of AAA's unmatched emergency road service, which last year responded to more than 28 million road service calls from AAA members throughout North America," said Marshall L. Doney, vice president, AAA Automotive.
    This is the inaugural year of AAA's Service Providers of Excellence awards, dubbed "AAA's Highway Heroes." The program recognizes best-in-class emergency road service providers from nominations submitted from AAA and Canadian Automobile Association clubs.
    Winners were selected by AAA on the basis of their outstanding performance in serving members, community involvement and their willingness to expand the scope of their business to provide the best possible roadside assistance. Gold, silver and bronze winners were named by AAA from various areas of the United States and Canada.

    AAA's Highway Heroes winning a gold award for 2002 are:

    John Tannioa, owner of Sunshine Automotive, St. Petersburg, Fla. Tannioa has been affiliated with AAA Auto Club South for 13 years, and has received numerous letters of member commendation. Sunshine Automotive also operates a AAA Approved Auto Repair shop, provides AAA's mobile battery service, and is a supporter of AAA traffic safety programs.
    Jeff Critchlow, owner of Jeff Critchlow Auto Body in Glenshaw, Penn. has been affiliated with AAA East Central for 12 years and provides emergency road service in the Pittsburgh, Penn area. Critchlow and his drivers strive to consistently exceed service measures when handling road service calls for AAA members. Critchlow Auto Body is a AAA Approved Auto Repair shop and his business provides the mobile AAA Battery Service.
    Kevin Davis, owner of Davis Towing in Hyannis, Mass. has been affiliated with AAA Southern New England for 23 years and inherited his towing business from his father, who began the family operation in 1939. In addition to providing many years of outstanding service to AAA members, Davis Towing is actively involved in youth sports and contributes to a number of charities.
    Susan Katsumoto and Harry Baddon, owners of A & B Towing in Costa Mesa, Calif. have been affiliated with the Automobile Club of Southern California for 12 years and consider teamwork and attention to safety their keys to success.
    Together they have one of the finest service records in southern California and have worked hard to help AAA innovate and improve technology and equipment used in handling roadside emergencies. Their business provides the mobile AAA Battery Service and is involved in local charities and youth group activities.
    Carson Thompson, owner of Bluewater Towing, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada has been affiliated with CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) Central Ontario for 12 years and is an inspiration to those who know him. Thompson has built a first-class towing company that provides excellent emergency road service to the Canadian Automobile Association. Bluewater Towing has received many service awards, including those from the Sarnia Fire and Police Departments.

    Ten additional winners have been named at the silver and bronze level for their fine records of service to AAA/CAA members. Key sponsors included Continental Airlines, Lexus and Network Capital Alliance.
    AAA-affiliated towing companies provide emergency road service for North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization. In 2001, AAA responded to more than 28 million calls for road service from a membership of more than 45 million car owners. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at http://www.aaa.com.

                          Additional winners:

Silver Level:

Pinellas Auto Body, Clearwater, FL   AAA Auto Club South                           
Custom Towing, Gaithersburg, MD      AAA Mid-Atlantic                              
George's Service Station,            AAA Southern New England 
  Brockton, MA                                            
Ted & Al's Towing,                   California State Auto Association
  San Francisco, CA                               
Neumeister's Motors, Ltd.,           CAA Mid-Western Ontario
  Stratford, Ontario, Canada                                

                                      
Bronze Level:

Irish Mike's World Class Towing,     AAA Auto Club South
  Orlando, FL                        
Rossnagle's Service Center,          AAA Mid-Atlantic
  Phillipsburg, NJ                   
West Side Mobil, Wellesley, MA       AAA Southern New England                      
Westside Tow, Los Angeles, CA        Automobile Club of 
                                       Southern California        
Totem Towing, Victoria, BC, Canada   CAA British Columbia                          
                                     

    AAA news releases are available from http://www.aaa.com/news