The NAPA Auto Parts of Albert Lea has earned NAPA’s highest honor: The Five Star Excellence Award for 2009.

NAPA of Albert Lea earned this title by excelling in sales growth, store presentation, connectivity, wholesale marketing efforts and a demonstrated commitment to ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) training and education for personnel.

“Winning the distinguished Five Star Excellence award represents one of the ultimate achievements in our industry,” said NAPA President Bob Susor. “A lot of work goes into attaining this level of recognition. Day in and day out. Five Star Excellence stores strive to exceed their customers’ expectations, all while focusing on meeting their key objectives.”

In addition to the top honors, NAPA representatives will enjoy a cruise to the Western Caribbean. Here, they will spend time with fellow Five Star Excellence winners while being recognized by NAPA for their achievements.

Tom Hovland, President of Tom Hovland Enterprises Inc. and owner of the local NAPA store in Albert Lea, said, “We are very excited to be recognized as a NAPA Five Star Excellence store. The recognition is a motivating incentive, but the real winners are our customers. We couldn’t have done it without our customers and the community. Their dedication to the NAPA brand has helped our store reach new levels of success.”

“”NAPA’s Five-Star Excellence program is one of the many reasons that NAPA Auto Parts stores consistently demonstrate a commitment to quality service,” Hovland said. “The award criteria is designed by emphasizing the importance of the NAPA brand promise that customer satisfaction always comes first.”

Tom Hovland Enterprises Inc. has been in business since 1973, The company runs 14 NAPA Auto Parts stores (all receiving the award) in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Eleven stores are in Iowa at Mason City, Clear Lake, Belmond, Hampton, Iowa Falls, Ames, Marshalltown, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque and Iowa City. One store is located in La Crosse, Wis. The two Minnesota stores are in Austin and Albert Lea.