Community Tire Wins ASU W.P. Carey School Of Business Spirit Of Enterprise Award

September 26, 2008 · Published By Editor East Valley Living (EVliving.com)

PHOENIX - Community Tire and Howard Fleischmann continue to be recognized by the Phoenix community for their strides in business and service with another major award honor.

Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists in Phoenix received the Arizona Lottery Overcoming Adversity Award, after encountering a crisis four years ago when its financial guarantors found out the executives at the time were embezzling money from the firm. The investors took over and helped straighten the company out. The Spirit of Enterprise Center at ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business promotes entrepreneurship and provides training to Valley business owners. In its 12th year, the program celebrates the achievements of companies that demonstrate ethics, energy and excellence in entrepreneurship.

“I have always believed in doing the right thing for my business and the community. When we discovered the amount embezzled, our lawyers suggested bankruptcy and I had to step in,” said Howard Fleischmann, owner of seven Arizona shops. “We sent a clear message that dishonesty would never be tolerated. We were able to turn things around and even changed our name to Community Tire to symbolize the fact that we were there for our customers in the community.”

Earlier this year, Community Tire was awarded the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR IMPACT AWARD. And they were also the recipient of the coveted finalist ethics award of the Arizona BBB for 2007.

Mr. Fleischmann has made the Community Tire & Auto Services Specialists part of the community since 1992. The family owned company has grown to seven locations over 17 years in business and created a reputation of providing the highest level of honest and professional service.

The Community Tire & Automotive Service Specialists continue to be involved in the community by supporting local business and encouraging all management personnel to be involved in community activities. Mr. Fleischmann believes that customer service is not just a statement for the companies he is involved in; it is the goal to exceed every client’s expectations each time they visit the shop.