AAA Western and Central New York has hired a new Vice President of Corporate and Business Development. Chris Johnston joined the team at AAA in January and will be responsible for developing strategy to develop, grow, and diversify products and service offerings for AAA Western and Central New York.

Chris is a Western New York native who comes to AAA as an accomplished executive with significant business development, innovation fund management, M&A, and international experience in highly competitive business markets.

“My expertise lies in identifying new business opportunities, and cultivating and maintaining relationships with business partners,” he said. “I’m excited to put my skills to work at AAA and to identify new and grow existing business opportunities for the Club.”

“We are looking forward to the contributions and experience that Chris will bring to AAA,” said Tony Spada, President and CEO of AAA Western and Central New York. “His vast experience in strategic and operational planning, product assessment and growth initiatives, business development and strategic alliances, and investor relations and communications will align well with our growth.”

Chris’ most recent professional accomplishments come from his tenure at the Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM) where he spearheaded acquisitions by leading all aspects of the M&A process and managing the divestiture process of Graham's commercial nuclear utility business.  He was actively engaged in several business development initiatives to grow the company organically, as well.

An active member of the community, Chris currently volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and the newly formed Farm to City produce initiative.  He serves on various committees with the National Foreign Trade Council and the New York State Society.  He is a long-term board member of U.S. Department of Commerce’s District Export Council of WNY.

Chris graduated with a BS in Industrial Relations from Le Moyne College and a MS in International Economics from Fordham University.  

He grew up in Hamburg, New York, and spent much of his career traveling domestically and internationally – living in Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. 

An avid Buffalo Sabres fan, Chris lives in North Buffalo with his 15-year-old daughter who is a freshman in high school.   

AAA has been named one of the Best Places to Work and one of the Healthiest Employers by Buffalo Business First. AAA benefits for full-time employees include health, dental, and life insurance; competitive PTO package; 401K with match after six months; free AAA membership, and tuition reimbursement. Career opportunities are always posted at www.AAA.com/Careers.