Outstanding Franchisees Honored By Cottman Transmission And Total Auto Care

Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care, the transmission and auto repair brand that services almost any make or model vehicle, foreign or domestic, recently recognized several outstanding franchisees and employees at its annual convention in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Dedicated Franchisees

“These dedicated people represent the best of the best,” said Cottman President Randy Wright, recognizing franchisees, managers, and technicians from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, Colorado, Oregon, Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Florida, and South Carolina.

Ozzie Bombaro, the owner of the Cottman franchise in Woodbury Heights, NJ, and part owner of the center in Lansdale, PA, received the President’s Award for Excellence. “Ozzie has demonstrated integrity, honesty, loyalty, success, courage, diligence and trustworthiness during his outstanding tenure with Cottman,“ said Wright. “This award recognizes him as the standard by which all others shall be measured.”

Cottman Center Awards

The Cottman Man Award, given to the franchise with the highest gross sales for the previous year, went for the second consecutive year to brothers and partners Randy and Rusty Cato, who operate the Cottman center on Erhardt Blvd. in New Orleans, as well as centers in Gretna, LA and La Place, LA.

The Founders Award, named for the Cottman founders, was presented to Rick White, Cottman of Raleigh, NC. The award is given to an individual who has overcome adversity. Rick has been a Cottman man since 1997, when he opened his first center in Durham, NC. He took over his current shop in Raleigh in 2000 and has built the business steadily to one of the top ten centers within the network. A large percentage of his business comes from repeat customers and referrals, which he prides himself on consistently giving the best service to his customers.

Jim Dietvorst, Cottman of Denver and Cottman of Wheat Ridge, was named Person of the Year. He opened his first Cottman center in Denver 12 years ago and 6 years later added a second in nearby Wheat Ridge, CO. In addition to consistently being among the chain’s best performers, the proud Navy veteran works hard to give back to the community. Jim and his workers participate in “extreme community makeovers” where volunteers go into a neighborhood and help with exterior clean-ups and painting, and they also support a local women’s shelter, a youth anti-gang program, and the local food bank.

Mike Morrison, Cottman of Spartanburg, SC, was named The Transmission Physician. The winner of this award is Cottman’s representative to the world “I AM COTTMAN!” Successful in their own center, always there to help their fellow Cottman owners, and have an outstanding relationship with their own customers.

Greg Hulce in Cottman of Louisville was named Manager of the Year, one of the chain’s highest honors. Hulce exemplifies the highest standards in professionalism, dedication, and sales.

The Top National Account Development award is being given to 2 outstanding franchisees, Jim Harrington in Cottman of Mauldin, SC, and Bob and Cindy Cowie in Cottman of Norfolk, VA. This honor is awarded for being proactive owners that work hard to acquire these types of accounts, and for striving to make national account customers satisfied and keep them coming back on a regular basis.

The Top Business to Business Customer Development award was given to 3 Cottman franchises that have shown a strong commitment and ability to develop and nurture these types of accounts. In the past year, they have added new business while maintaining existing accounts. The franchisees given this award are Jim Dietvorst in Cottman of Denver/Wheat Ridge, CO, Rick White in Cottman of Raleigh, NC, and Don Lenartz in Cottman of Grand Rapids, MI.

The Technical Proficiency Award is given to those technicians who have shown an exceptional technical knowledge of the automotive industry. This year it was awarded to David Earp, Cottman of Trenton, NJ, and Ted Reinert, Cottman of Woodbury Heights, NJ.

Fourteen Cottman centers were honored for providing a consistently outstanding level of customer service. They are Cottman of Denver and Cottman of Wheat Ridge in Colorado; Cottman of Trenton in New Jersey; Cottman of West Mifflin in Pennsylvania; Cottman of Stroudsburg in Pennsylvania; Cottman of Beaverton in Oregon; Cottman of Racine in Wisconsin; Cottman of Grand Rapids in Michigan; Cottman of The Woodlands in Texas; Cottman of Richmond in Virginia; Cottman of Gladstone in Missouri; Cottman of Mundelein in Illinois; Cottman of Fern Park in Florida and Cottman of Vancouver in Washington.

“It takes incredible dedication and hard work, coupled with leadership and management skills and a true sense of community service to be successful in this business,” said Wright. “The recipients of these awards are outstanding examples of what is good about the service industry and the core values that make Cottman a leader in its field. They are truly their neighborhood Cottman Man within the respective communities.”

  • Gail Parker
    Gail Parker
    2021-06-15
    Google

    The customer service was concerned about the parking area for my vehicle for overnight early bird service.They called me to inform me they were gonna check back with me before any services on my vehicle were done with my approval which, made me comfortable to know they showed responsibility in their work.

  • Leslie Meyers
    Leslie Meyers
    2021-04-09
    Google

    Fast, friendly, reliable and fair. I ended up having to get my town & country transmission repaired/replaced & my spark plugs replaced right before Christmas this past year & they said they could do it the next day if I could leave it that day. Well I didn't have a ride home & my other car needed a jump start since we hadn't driven it much. The owner not only offered to drive me home, but also jump start my other car so I could of get my niece from school. If that's not service, I don't know what is. They also ened up doing my 2014 escape transmission the yr b4. They were recommended by a friend & I would recommend them as well.

  • Hina K. Huynh
    Hina K. Huynh
    2021-03-18
    Google

    I purchased a "newly" used vehicle and was concerned about transmission issues and they made sure I was taken care of. The staff was extremely friendly and polite, and not only did they provide me with all the necessary services I needed, they also educated me. I would highly recommend this location.

  • Miriam Green
    Miriam Green
    2021-03-12
    Google

    The service was great. Someone recommended them to me. They took care of the issue I was having with my vehicle with no issues. I’ll be going to them from here on out! A very satisfied customer

  • Samuel Jones
    Samuel Jones
    2021-02-04
    Google

    Staff were all professional. Manager was a saint, gentleman, and scholar. Great company with excellent values. I would highly recommend them.

  • K. Raymer
    K. Raymer
    2020-11-20
    Google

    Kevin and his entire staff are the best. I had a brake caliper fail and they took care of very quickly and for a great price. Since then, I had new flare fenders with led lights installed on my Jeep Wrangler. Same great service and value.

  • Loren Vann
    Loren Vann
    2020-11-18
    Google

    I have been taking my vehicles to Cottman for the last year and I have never been disappointed. Kevin is the General Manager and I have known him personally for several years. This is an honest shop with quality work and great, trustworthy employees. Law Enforcement friendly, which is a major plus. It is hard to find a reliable place for vehicles now and days so skip the stress and take your vehicles here.

  • Stephanie Besos
    Stephanie Besos
    2020-10-28
    Google

    I love this place. came here a few years back, great work. just came in recently, wanted to wait a few days for the review.let me tell you Vicki was amazing and as helpful as can be and kevin did repair and excellent job on my transmission as well as work with me . had a world of trouble with my warranty place but they did their best to help with it all and my car is running excellent. will be back soon for oil change and any future repairs. thanks guys.

  • Stephanie Besos
    Stephanie Besos
    2020-10-21
    Google

    I love this place. came here a few years back, great work. just came in recently, wanted to wait a few days for the review.let me tell you Vicki was amazing and as helpful as can be and kevin did repair and excellent job on my transmission as well as work with me . had a world of trouble with my warranty place but they did their best to help with it all and my car is running excellent. will be back soon for oil change and any future repairs. thanks guys.

  • Conley Smith
    Conley Smith
    2020-10-20
    Google

    My experience at Cottman was awesome! The waiting lounge was very clean and looked great. The front desk staff was kind and personable. My wheels got aligned very quickly and they did a great job for an awesome price! The owner is extremely professional and quite handsome as well.

  • Randall Vann
    Randall Vann
    2020-10-18
    Google

    Best shop to have your vehicle repaired. Professional and timely. Owner gives fair prices and easy to work with. I would highly recommend to anyone.

  • Mike Villegas
    Mike Villegas
    2020-10-15
    Google

    The work was excellent and done in a timely manner. Found the best pri ce for the work needed!!!

  • Justin Davis
    Justin Davis
    2020-10-10
    Google

    Great customer service!! The staff was very attentive. A issue arose while they were working on my vehicle, and the mechanics diagnosed it and where back on track in no time. What I liked the most was that they kept me in the loop while they tried to find a resolution.

  • Steve Lilley
    Steve Lilley
    2020-09-17
    Google

    Fast and efficient service.