Michelle Dunning, fleet specialist for Nalley Motor Trucks, was honored as Individual Vendor of the Year.

Photo RTO Online

Mike Lewis (right) was named The Premier Companies 2008 Dealer of the Year. Lewis is shown here on stage with company CEO Trooper Earle.

Franchisee Mike Lewis was named The Premier Companies Dealer of the Year for the second consecutive year at an awards ceremony Wednesday concluding the 2009 convention in New Orleans (see interview with Mike Lewis).

See photo gallery of the 2009 Premier Convention here.

In addition to operating the top performing store in the Premier system, Lewis serves as company's vice president of operations. "Passion gets results," Mike said in an interview that will appear in the upcoming issue of RTO Magazine. It's that passion that drives Lewis to continually improve and and inspires his unique outlook on the priorities of owning and managing a business.

Ashley Furniture was recognized as Vendor of the Year. Company representative Gary Jones accepted the award on behalf of Ashley (see interview with Gary Jones). Michelle Dunning, fleet specialist for Nalley Motor Trucks, was honored as Individual Vendor of the Year (see interview with Michelle Dunning).

In addition to Dealer of the Year Lewis, the top five Premier dealers included Dave Jones & Rich Bagoly, Scott Kinnear, Jack Rowland, and partners Jim Ratner & John Reichenbach.

Premier Rental-Purchase
Stellar Award:
Gold - Jack Rowland, Dave Jones & Rich Bagoly (Allentown, PA and Reading, PA), Ted Krygoske, Jim Forker, Scott Kinnear, Rick Vadnais, Trini Rubio
Silver - Jim Ratner & John Reichenbach, John George, Brian Clussman, Chuck Botts, Ted Krygoske & Paul Bottomley, John Eibl, Jamie Sieverding
Bronze - Mike Gordon and Mitch Rhodes, Mike Lewis, Jim Forker, Rich Bagoly&Dave Jones, William Cuthbertson, Manuel Garcia& Steve Fox, Mike Lewis

Shooting Star:
Rodger Lyn, Matt Hebekeuser & Brian Reed, Jay Muir, Chad & Jeffery Moody

Premier Wheel Workz
Stellar Award Winners:
Bronze – Tom Gould, Keith Slater

Shooting Stars:
Mitch Robinson and Eric Marlin

Premier Home Furnishings
Silver Stellar – Rich Sieverding & Jamie Sieverding

Premier UGetcha
Bronze Stellar – Brian Clussman
Shooting Star- Josh Goss and Ruben Flores

Forty-two Premier dealers were recognized for outstanding community service. Wally Landmesser and Rob Rice were honored for achieving their tenth year with The Premier Companies and for having the oldest Premier dealership.

Roy Griffaw, publisher of RTO online and RTO Magazine, was honored for his support of The Premier Companies during 2008 by PRPMG president Laura Emerson and The Premier Companies CEO Trooper Earle.

See photo gallery of the 2009 Premier Convention here.