Western New York 'Car Doctor' Named NAPA ASE Technician of the Year NAPA AUTO PARTS GREGORY FALKNER Gregory P. Falkner is recipient of the NAPA/ASE (National Institute for Autmotive Service Excellence) Technician of the Year award for 2001. Falkner is owner and operator of Falkner's Auto Services, Inc., in West Seneca, N.Y. (PRNewsFoto)[AG] ATLANTA, GA USA 12/19/2000

19 December 2000

    ATLANTA, Dec. 19 A 31-year commitment to quality and
customer satisfaction paid off for the owner of an auto repair and maintenance
shop in West Seneca, New York. Gregory P. Falkner is the recipient of the
prestigious NAPA /ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence)
Technician of the Year award for 2001.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001219/CLTU002 )
    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.
    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 maintains the world's largest inventory of ready-to-ship aftermarket
parts, accessories, tools and equipment offered through more than 6,000 NAPA
AUTO PARTS stores and more than 10,000 NAPA AutoCare Centers nationwide.