Media Contacts

Meet The Experts

Meet The Experts

Elizabeth Carey

Elizabeth Carey

Director of Public Relations & Corporate Communications

100 International Drive
Williamsville, NY 14221
Phone: (716) 929-3600
Fax: (716) 633-4439
Cell: (716) 343-3078
Email: ecarey@nyaaa.com

 

Mark Gruba AAA Public Affairs Rochester Region
 

Mark Gruba

Communications Specialist
Phone: (585) 388-4040
Fax: (585) 377-8651
Email: mgruba@nyaaa.com

 

Valerie Puma AAA Public Affairs Syracuse Region

Valerie Puma

Communications Specialist
Phone: (315) 980-0158
Email: vpuma@nyaaa.com

 

For more news & information about AAA

Meet the Experts

AAA associates have expert knowledge that spans a wide variety of topics including automotive repair and maintenance, emergency roadside assistance, fuel, safety, travel and insurance. Learn more about our resident experts below. 

 

AUTOMOTIVE


 

Steve Steinmetz

Steve Steinmetz

Director, AAA Fleet Operations
Western and Central New York

Expertise: Emergency Road Service, Towing & Recovery
Experience: Nearly 20 years of experience in the automotive industry

 

DRIVER TRAINING & SAFETY


 

Mike Formanowicz

Mike Formanowicz

Manager, AAA Driver Training Department
Western New York

Expertise: Driver education and driver training; traffic safety; senior and teen driver safety; drowsy and distracted driving; driving while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs
Experience: Extensive 26 year career with AAA including 8 years in Driver Training

Brent Dalhaus

Brent Dalhaus

AAA Safety Manager
Western New York

Expertise: Federal, state, and local laws and codes governing health, safety and transportation, including the AAA Emergency Road Service Fleet, AAA Car Care Plus and AAA Driver Training.

 

TRAVEL


 

Central Region

 

Melissa Petersen

Melissa Petersen

Manager, AAA Ithaca
Central New York

Expertise: Group, event and meeting travel; travel and industry trends; domestic and international travel including cruising and air travel
Experience: 17 years in the travel and tourism industry

Barb Park

Barb Park

Manager, AAA Watertown
Central New York

Expertise: Travel and industry trends; domestic and international travel including cruising and air travel
Experience:30 years in the travel and tourism industry

Rochester Region

 

Tracey Miller

Tracey Miller

Travel Consultant, AAA Penfield
Rochester

Expertise: Travel and industry trends; domestic and international travel including cruising and air travel
Experience: More than 25 years in the travel and tourism industry

Western Region

 

Kevin Bloom

Kevin Bloom

Travel Consultant, AAA Amherst
Western New York

Expertise: Travel and industry trends; domestic and international travel including cruising and air travel
Experience: 30 years in the travel and tourism industry

Shelley Eastmer

Shelley Easter

Manager, AAA Disney Destinations Sales
Western New York

Expertise: Disney destinations including resorts, parks and cruises worldwide; travel and industry trends; domestic and international travel
Experience: More than 20 years in the travel and tourism industry

Barbara Hughes

Barbara Hughes

Outside Travel Sales Consultant
Western York

Expertise: Affinity, group and motorcoach travel; travel and industry trends; domestic and international travel including cruising and air travel
Experience: More than 30 years in the travel and tourism industry

Brian P. Murray

Brian P. Murray

Outside Travel Sales Consultant
Western York

Expertise: Affinity, group and motorcoach travel; travel and industry trends; domestic and international travel including cruising and air travel
Experience: More than 30 years in the travel and tourism industry

Angie Wawryznek

Angie Wawryznek

Travel & Retail Training Specialist
Western, Rochester and Central New York

Expertise: Travel and industry trends; domestic and international travel including cruising and air travel
Experience: More than 20 years in the travel and tourism industry