Falkner Nabs NAPA Top Award

ATLANTA--A 31-year commitment to quality and customer satisfaction paid off for the owner of an auto repair and maintenance shop in West Seneca, N.Y. Gregory P. Falkner is the recipient of the prestigious NAPA /ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) Technician of the Year award for 2001.

Falkner’s automotive service excellence merits him more than $30,000 in prizes, including NAPA tools and equipment, additional fully-paid training from the NAPA Institute of Automotive Technology, a NAPA TRACS computer system, a plaque and a commemorative ring.

He has owned and operated Falkner’s Auto Service in West Seneca, N.Y., since 1969. As an ASE L1 Certified Master Technician, Falkner’s automotive service business has grown from a single bay to a nine-bay operation. While focusing on general automotive repair and maintenance, Falkner’s business specializes in diagnostics and troubleshooting in an attempt to “fix the unfixable,” according to Falkner.

Nicknamed “The Car Doctor,” Falkner employs five ASE Certified Technicians, three of whom are Master Technicians. In the NAPA AutoCare Customer Satisfaction Index, Falkner’s shop has a rating of 99 percent, which is considered “excellent” in the areas of quality service and customer satisfaction.

Falkner is co-host of the “The Car Show,” a syndicated radio program about automotive repair and maintenance. He is a director of the West Seneca Chamber of Commerce and was voted the chamber’s 1999 “Citizen of the Year.” Falkner also is an active fundraiser for The Children’s Hospital of Western New York

“The selection process for NAPA ASE Technician of the Year is always extremely difficult, due to the caliber of nominees,” said David Nicki, NAPA Vice President for wholesale markets. “The ‘best of the best’ compete for the top spot, and we are extremely proud to recognize Greg’s consistent and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction. He represents the best of NAPA’s commitment to quality auto care and service.”

Ken Lumsden, general manager, NAPA Buffalo (N.Y.) Distribution Center, also recognized Falkner for his level of commitment. “Greg is totally committed to the NAPA AutoCare Program and its principles. He demonstrates a ‘never quit’ attitude, which is one of the many qualities that make him such a great technician and customer.”

NAPA Auto Parts issues the award each year to an automotive technician who demonstrates superior technical skills and business practices, shows a commitment to customer service and training, supports the community in which his business operates and demonstrates outstanding service to the automotive repair and maintenance industry. Nominees are judged by a panel of former winners, automotive press editors and the president of ASE.

The 28-year-old non-profit ASE is dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. The ASE also communicates its message to consumers, the news media and other publics to promote informed decision making when seeking automotive repairs.