Willis B. Wood Named Chairman of AAA Board of Directors

Business Wire, Dec 11, 2002

Business Editors/Travel Writers

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2002

Willis B. Wood, vice chairman of the AAA Board of Directors and long-serving member of the Automobile Club of Southern California Board of Directors, has been named chairman of the AAA Board. Wood succeeds Robert J. Cardoza of Modesto, Calif., who died in October.

Wood has been vice chairman and director of the AAA Board since May 2001. He is the retired chairman and chief executive officer of Pacific Enterprises and has been a member of the Automobile Club of Southern California Board of Directors since 1993.

"It is a great honor to undertake this position as it allows me to continue the work begun by Bob Cardoza and the other board members of improving our nation's transportation," Wood said. "There are 79 independent affiliates across the United States and Canada, each with regional and individual needs. With the help of so many great professionals in those affiliates, I look forward to working to help motorists and travelers."

Wood was born in Kansas City, Mo. and spent his formative years in Kansas. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Tulsa in 1957. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

Wood began his professional career in Odessa, Texas with Pan American Petroleum Corp. He moved to California the next year to continue working in the oil industry in Wilmington. In 1960, Wood joined Pacific Lighting Gas Supply (later Pacific Enterprises) as a staff aid and rose through the ranks to become chairman and CEO. He retired in 1998.

Wood serves as a director on numerous boards including Washington Mutual Inc., Haynes Foundation, University of Southern California and Harvey Mudd College.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its more than 45 million members with travel, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at http://www.aaa.com.