AAA Western and Central New York today announced that President and CEO Anthony B. Spada will retire from AAA on December 31, 2024, after 43 years of service to the organization. A national search to identify Mr. Spada’s successor will begin immediately. 

Mr. Spada was named President and CEO in 2012 and served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer from 1995 to 2012.

“I’m proud to say that, under my leadership, AAA is currently in a strong growth position. The Club is financially secure, and we have strategic plans for 2024 and beyond,” he said. “In 40-plus years, I’ve enjoyed coming to work every day to serve our loyal members. I’m thankful for all of the dedicated AAA associates, and I look forward to working together on our goals throughout 2024 leading up to my retirement and helping ensure a smooth transition for my successor.”

Throughout his tenure at AAA, Mr. Spada has played an integral role in many major initiatives, including mergers and acquisitions that established AAA Western and Central New York. He founded the AAA Members Insurance Agency of New York in 2006, and it reached $50 million in policy premiums this year. He oversaw the rebound of AAA Travel following the pandemic and is leading plans to expand travel services with a focus on family, luxury, and group travel opportunities. Throughout his career, Mr. Spada has continually sought opportunities to add more member benefits and find new ways to serve AAA members.

Mr. Spada founded the Auto Club of Western & Central New York Foundation for Traffic Safety, Inc. “I have a passion for traffic safety, and I’m proud that AAA continues to be an advocate for the safety and security of all motorists and travelers,” he said. Additionally, Mr. Spada serves as President of AAA New York State, a consortium of five AAA Clubs. Under his leadership, AAA championed efforts to expand the Slow Down Move Over law to include any disabled vehicle, which goes into effect in March 2024, and AAA was instrumental in implementing the state’s rear seat belt law. 

Earlier this year, Mr. Spada received the 2023 Association Champion Award from AAA’s national office. This is the highest honor bestowed by AAA, and it recognizes active, ongoing, strategic leadership activities.

 “During Tony’s tenure, he has set a strategic course for growth and diversification of services for AAA Western and Central New York and our 862,000 members. Together with his outstanding executive team, Tony has laid the groundwork for even greater success in the future,” said AAA Western and Central New York Board of Directors President Laura Saxby Lynch. “In more than four decades with AAA Western and Central New York, Tony has demonstrated the kind of unfailing and ethical leadership that inspires respect among his peers, associates, and the community. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank him for his dedicated service and wish him well as he starts this new chapter.”

Currently, he is a board member of AAA Life Insurance of New York, board member of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, board member of Great Lakes Battery Service, LLC, director of the Affinity Insurance Company, chair of AAA Public Affairs Committee, and president of AAA New York State.   

In addition to his participation and leadership on several National AAA committees, he is also an active member of the Western New York community. Mr. Spada is a board member and member of the Executive Committee of the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership; member of the Canisius College Board of Trustees; board member of Invest Buffalo Niagara; chair of the Board of Trustees and past board chair for YMCA Buffalo Niagara. Mr. Spada has previously served the Amherst Chamber of Commerce and was a trustee for St. Gregory the Great Parish.

Mr. Spada graduated from Canisius College with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and has received Canisius College’s Distinguished Alumni Award. He also received a CFO Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.  

Mr. Spada is a lifelong resident of Western New York and currently resides with his wife, Nancy, in Williamsville. He looks forward to spending more time with his wife, three children, and grandchildren during retirement.