Mr. Perry Leonard

President

Gemini Blagg Tire and Service of Grapevine

604 Main Street

Grapevine, Texas 76051

I would like to commend the Gemini Blagg Tire and Service of Grapevine organization, specifically Rusty McCabe, for going above and beyond the call of duty on Friday, November 28, 2008, the day after Thanksgiving.  Your ability to continue and preserve the service philosophy that Gary and Wanda Blagg so thoughtfully embedded in their business practices and employees for so many years is still demonstrated today and in what occurred on last Friday.

 My family and I were returning from our Thanksgiving family get together on Friday when our engine started to malfunction just 30 miles outside of Mt. Pleasant, Texas.  We called for a tow and they picked us up in less than 45 minutes in the pouring rain – which was unbelievable.  But it’s what happened next that was truly amazing!

 The second call we made was to Rusty at Blagg Tire and Service in Grapevine.  We explained the situation, and without hesitation Rusty said, “Let me see what I can do to help and I will call you right back.”  In less than 30 minutes, Rusty called us with the name, address and directions to Billy Craig’s Auto Repair in Mt. Pleasant.  As if that wasn’t enough, he had already contacted Mr. Craig to provide him with the background on the vehicle.  Then, Rusty concluded our conversation with these comforting words, “Mr. Craig is expecting you.”

 We arrived at Billy Craig’s Auto Repair where we were greeted personally by Mr. Craig, and sure enough he had a repair bay ready and waiting.  Because Rusty had contacted Mr. Craig in advance, he and his mechanic knew just what to do.  In less than two hours they made a complex repair to the interior of the engine and we were back on the road home to Grapevine!

 Turns out that Mr. Billy Craig and his family have been in business since 1963!  It is incredible that in this “global” world we still have the comfort of small town service and family values to pull us through in the tough times.  None of this would have been possible had it not been for the efforts of Rusty McCabe and Billy Craig and the family-based organizations that empowered them to GO THE EXTRA MILE on behalf of customers in their biggest times of need.

 It is with great pride and loyalty that we have done business with Blagg Tire and Service since we made Grapevine our home in 1987.

 We thank you for your continued service to our community.

 Warmest regards and happy holidays,

 The Todora Family

 P.S.  During this time of Thanks and Giving, we humbly remember the reason for the season.

 cc:        Rusty McCabe, Trusted Service Advisor, Scott South, General Manager, Gemini Automotive Care, M/M Gary and Wanda Blagg, Robert J. Keegan, CEO, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Mr. Billy Craig, Billy Craig Auto Repair, The Grapevine Sun, Editor, Les Cockrell, The Grapevine Courier, Executive Editor, Charles Young, Fort Worth Star Telegram, Cheers & Jeers, Paul K. Harral, Mt. Pleasant Daily Tribune, Editor, Lou Antonelli

Kim R. Todora

The Todora Group

1222 Eaton Lane

Grapevine, Texas 76051