Contact Information: CONTACT: Carol Thorp or Jeffrey Spring (714) 885-2333
Auto Club Names New President
| Source: Automobile Club of Southern California
LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 20, 2007 -- The Automobile Club of Southern California
has announced that Robert T. Bouttier, currently Chief Operating Officer,
has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer. Thomas V.
McKernan will continue in his position as the Chief Executive Officer of
the Auto Club, and Bouttier continues to report to him.
The Auto Club's operations have grown significantly over the past several
years. There have been many new services added and significant investments
have been made in expanding and upgrading service delivery. The Auto Club
has expanded into several other states and, together with its affiliates,
now has nearly 10 million members.
Bouttier, a 32-year veteran of the Auto Club, will oversee the daily
operations of the largest AAA-affiliated motor club in the country.
McKernan, who has been the Club's Chief Executive Officer for 16 years,
will continue in that role and will devote even more attention to
long-range strategy and the successful integration with AAA clubs in other
states.
"The Club has been so successful and grown so much that it is ever more
important that daily operations as well as future strategy have
full-time focus," McKernan said in making the announcement.
Starting with the Auto Club as an insurance claims representative, Bouttier
has held increasingly responsible positions in sales, office management and
marketing. He was named Chief Operating Officer in 2005, and prior to that
promotion, he was senior vice president of marketing and member services.
He also served as marketing director for five years. He developed and
implemented product and brand management strategies and directed the Auto
Club's expansion of insurance, travel, automotive and financial services to
better meet member needs.
Bouttier serves on the board of the Los Angeles Sports Council and also is
a director of AAA Life Insurance Company. He has a bachelor's degree in
business from California State University, San Bernardino.
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of AAA,
has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit
from roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency,
financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs,
automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, highway and
transportation safety programs and legislative advocacy. Information about
these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at
www.aaa.com.