Nationally Recognized Franchise Law Expert Joins AAMCO
Transmissions as General Counsel
Horsham, PA - September 21, 2006 -
AAMCO Transmissions announced that franchise law
expert Jim Goniea has been named Vice President,
Law and General Counsel for AAMCO Transmissions,
Inc. and American Driveline Systems, Inc.
American Driveline Systems is the parent company
for both AAMCO Transmissions and Cottman
Transmission, the two largest transmission
repair chains in North America.
“We are very pleased and fortunate to have a
franchise attorney as talented as Jim Goniea
join us,” says Todd Leff, CEO and President of
AAMCO and Cottman. “Jim will play a critical
role in the continued growth of our
organization, and is the latest step in
developing a world class management team.”
Mr. Goniea will supervise all legal, franchise
compliance, consumer affairs and customer
service functions for the company. He is a
nationally recognized attorney in franchise law,
named a Northern California SuperLawyer in 2005
and 2006 and as a top franchise counsel by
Franchise Times Magazine in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
In his previous position, Mr. Goneia served as a
partner at the San Francisco office of
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP, where he
specialized in franchise and distribution law.
He has provided counsel to many of the world’s
most well-known brands including, among others,
McDonalds, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Gymboree and
Red Bull.
Mr. Goniea has written numerous articles and
conducted lectures for franchise attorneys
throughout the country. He also has served on
state bar and American Bar Association
committees focusing on franchise law.
Prior to practicing at Sonnenschein, Mr. Goniea
practiced at Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps LLP
in California and at Cravath, Swaine &Moore in
New York. He entered private practice after
serving as a law clerk to then Federal Appellate
Court Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. In light of
this, the Bush Administration asked Mr. Goniea
to assist in the communication efforts
surrounding Judge Alito’s appointment to the
United States Supreme Court. During the
confirmation process, Mr. Goniea met with
President Bush and played an active role in
communicating to the media regarding the Alito
nomination. Mr. Goniea and his wife Susan (also
a former law clerk to Judge Alito) attended the
White House ceremony at which Judge Alito was
sworn in as an Associate Justice of the United
States Supreme Court.
“I am very excited to join AAMCO, Cottman and
American Driveline Systems at this time of great
opportunity and growth for the organization,”
says Mr. Goniea. “The merging of the AAMCO and
Cottman chains earlier this year has made the
combined organization not only a powerhouse in
the car care business but one of the bright
lights in franchising.”
Mr. Goniea, his wife Susan and two children have
already relocated to the Philadelphia area from
San Francisco.
About AAMCO Transmissions and American Driveline
Systems
AAMCO Transmissions is the world’s largest chain of
transmission specialists and one of the leaders
in complete car care services. Established in
1963, AAMCO has nearly 800 automotive centers
throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto
Rico. For more information, visit
www.aamco.com.
American Driveline Systems is the parent company of
both AAMCO Transmissions and Cottman
Transmission, and is majority owned by American
Capital Strategies. The combined entities of
American Driveline Systems have more than 6,000
team members and are proud to have served over
35 million drivers.
American Capital is a publicly traded buyout and
mezzanine fund with capital resources of $8.9
billion. American Capital invests in and
sponsors management and employee buyouts,
invests in private equity buyouts, provides
capital directly to early stage and mature
private and small public companies and through
its asset management business is a manager of
debt and equity investments in private
companies. American Capital provides senior
debt, mezzanine debt and equity to fund growth,
acquisitions, recapitalizations and
securitizations. American Capital invests up to
$400 million per company.
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Contact:
Bruce Schmidt
AAMCO Transmissions
201 Gibraltar Road
Horsham, PA 19044
800-292-8500, extension
248
bschmidt@aamco.com |
