AAA has announced its Drivers of the Year who received the Marty Taylor Recognition Award in honor of a AAA tow technician who was killed on the roadside when a driver failed to Slow Down and Move Over.

Every year, AAA Western and Central New York recognizes Drivers of the Year based on accomplishments from the previous calendar year. The award is presented to two AAA technicians in each of two fleet operations – Western New York and Central New York. The honorees must exhibit outstanding customer service skills, an impeccable safety record, and a commitment to teamwork.

This year, the four recipients of the Marty Taylor Recognition Award based on 2025 performance are Frankie Giordano (first-time winner) and David Black (first-time winner) in Western New York, and James Malelis (seven-time award winner) and Allen Walrath (second-time winner) in Central New York.

“The Marty Taylor Recognition Award is one of the most meaningful awards we present at AAA,” explained Marke Dickinson, President and CEO at AAA Western and Central New York. “As we congratulate the outstanding winners and celebrate their accomplishments, we also remember the individual for whom this award is named. Marty Taylor was a valued member of the AAA family whose life was tragically cut short while assisting a member on the roadside. His legacy continues to inspire our commitment to safety and service.”

Marty’s widow, Debbie Taylor, continues to work for AAA as a dispatcher in Syracuse and attended the award ceremony expressing appreciation for this year’s winners while her granddaughter Brielle shared remarks. "Today, we honor James, Allen, David, and Frankie for their dedication, compassion, responsibility, and unwavering commitment to making our roads and communities safer,” she said. “Their work reflects the very values this award represents, and I know that Marty would be proud. Seeing them recognized today gives us hope that Marty's message continues to live on."

The four recipients of the Marty Taylor Recognition Award have outstanding 2025 safety accomplishments:

Western New York

Frankie Giordano, Roadside Technician of the Year, joined AAA Western New York Fleet Operations in January 2025 and quickly established himself as a top performer. The North Tonawanda resident earned Technician of the Month honors during his first month as an ERS Technician and maintained that momentum throughout the year. Recognized for his strong work ethic, productivity, and commitment to member service, Giordano was named Technician of the Month seven times in 2025, completing 1,925 road service requests without any safety violations or member complaints.

David Black, Senior Roadside Technician of the Year, joined AAA Western New York Fleet Operations in March 2020 as a Tow Operator and was promoted to Senior Technician in 2022. The Lancaster resident is known for his leadership, positive attitude, and dedication to delivering exceptional member service. In 2025, Black completed 1,633 road service requests and achieved a 96.6% member satisfaction score without any safety violations.

Central New York

James Malelis, Senior Roadside Technician of the Year, began his career with AAA Central New York Fleet Operations in March 2010. A seven-time Marty Taylor Recognition Award recipient, the Clay resident is recognized for his technical expertise, outstanding customer service, and unwavering commitment to safety. In 2025, Malelis was named Technician of the Month six times, completing 1,931 road service requests without any safety violations or member complaints. He was also promoted to Senior Technician in 2025.

Allen Walrath, Lead Light Service Roadside Technician of the Year, began his career with AAA Central New York Fleet Operations in January 2017 and advanced to his current role through dedication, leadership, and technical expertise. The Syracuse resident is known for his dependability, professionalism, and commitment to supporting both members and teammates. In 2025, Walrath was named Technician of the Month five times and completed 1,457 road service requests without any safety violations or member complaints.

About Marty Taylor

Marty Taylor was a AAA Tow Technician who was killed on the roadside on Route 690 in Syracuse while performing a vehicle recovery 21 years ago. Marty’s legacy lives on in AAA Western and Central New York’s commitment to operational excellence and raising awareness of the “Slow Down, Move Over” law, which expanded to include all disabled vehicles on the roadside in recent years. Drivers are required to slow down and, if safe to do so, move over when approaching any roadside incident.

21 years after Marty Taylor’s death, research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that 42 percent of drivers who admit to breaking the Move Over law say they didn’t realize the behavior was dangerous to roadside workers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that 566 people are killed and more than 14,000 injured annually when dealing with a disabled vehicle at the roadside.