TORONTO, Oct. 7 /CNW/ -- Four Canadian Tire Associate Dealers with stores in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island have received the prestigious Canadian Tire Award of Excellence. In addition, Pat Higgins, Associate Dealer of the Canadian Tire store in Uxbridge, was honoured with the 2009 Community Involvement Award. The store owners and operators were recently recognized with the national awards at the company's annual convention in Toronto, among Canadian Tire's 475 Associate Dealers from across the country.

"The fact that Canadian Tire is one of the most recognized and trusted companies in Canadian business is a testament to the people that make up this organization," says Peter Kilty, president Canadian Tire Dealer Relations. "These five Dealers can be best described as best-in-class and we are proud of the amazing work that they do, each and every day."

The Canadian Tire Award of Excellence celebrates an outstanding focus on customer service, retail leadership, store team development and outreach in the community. The following Dealers received the 2009 Canadian Tire Award of Excellence:

Al Abbott, Associate Dealer, Nanaimo, B.C.

"Al is a leader who empowers his team to be the best they can be and the dedication of his longtime store employees speaks to the kind of man he is," says Kilty. "Al is equally dedicated to his community, actively supporting a number of great causes in Nanaimo."

Al Abbott started his Canadian Tire career in 1975 in Port Hope, Ontario. He moved to Grimsby the following year and then on to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1980. 14 years ago, Abbott and his family moved further west to B.C., settling into the Nanaimo community where they've been ever since.

David Urso, Associate Dealer, Bowmanville, ON

"David is a confident leader who is committed to his store team, encouraging them to bring forward new and innovative ideas to better serve Canadian Tire customers," says Kilty. "David is also passionate about giving back to his community through his support of the Youth Bocce Canada Award, the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Tire Jumpstart and sponsorship of a number of local youth teams."

David Urso started his Canadian Tire career in 1996 as the Associate Dealer in Picton, Ontario. Soon after, Urso moved to take over the store in Woodbridge where he stayed for 10 years before moving to his present location in Bowmanville. He remains committed to staff learning and customer service excellence, resulting in his store earning Canadian Tire's e-Learning Gold Certification.

Raymond Gagné, Associate Dealer, Longueuil, QC

"Raymond is an energetic and generous businessman who shares his love of retailing with customers and employees alike," says Kilty.