Mike Ullman with Advance Auto Honored as Community Employer of the Year

Ullman was recognized as a model employer by PAR (Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disability).

Advance Auto of Phoenixville, PA and Mike Ullman, General Manager, have been awarded the Community Employer of the Year for the Southeast Region award by PAR. Ullman and his staff at Advance Auto have shown exceptional dedication, leadership, and mentoring in welcoming an employee with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Ullman, who previously had no experience with ASD, made sure that he and his staff learned about autism and specific strategies to successfully help his entire staff work together as one effective team. He openly and willingly collaborates with the individual’s support staff at Keystone Autism Services to ensure continuity of support across settings. He has unequivocally supported the individual’s desire for growth and promotion within the company, developing and following detailed plans for teaching new tasks to help the individual succeed.

Shirley Walker, PAR President and CEO, praised Ullman and Advance Auto, saying, “Managers like Mike Ullman are worth their weight in gold. In welcoming an employee with autism, Mike has shown his staff and customers the importance of inclusive, diverse workplaces and how to respect the dignity and inherent value of every person in the community.”

Congratulations to Mike Ullman and Advance Auto for receiving this award from PAR!