Paul Bullock and family, owners of Volvo Rents stores in West Monroe, Alexandria and Bossier City La., were named Volvo Rents' 2007 Franchise of the Year during Volvo Rents' Circle of Excellence Awards. The awards were part of Volvo Rents' annual franchise convention held January 17–20 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The Franchise of the Year Award is given to the franchise that demonstrates strong store growth, dollar utilization, DSO management, training attendance, "clean" financial status, marketing, branding and appearance.

The Bullock family opened its first Volvo Rents franchise in West Monroe, La., in 2003 and added stores in 2004 and 2007 in Alexandria, La., and Bossier City, La.

The award for New Franchise of the Year went to Jackie, Duwayne and Aaron Eoff and Rob Barnica, owners of the Volvo Rents stores in Springfield and Hollister, Mo.

In addition to recognizing the Franchise and New Franchise of the Year winners, the top 10 performing franchises for 2007 received Circle of Excellence Awards. The winners were:

• Stacy and Troy Peterson, of Post Falls, Idaho
• Todd Miceli and Matt Carretero, of Haverhill, Mass.
• Jeff Bleecker and Lance Evic, owners of stores Tucson, Thatcher and Miami, Ariz.
• Cathy and Geoff Shorten and Ehor and Sandy Babij, owners of a store in Calgary, Canada
• Sara, Bruce, Martin, Brian and Paula Zender, owners of a store in Ferndale, Wash.
• Helder Garcia and Brian Silvera, owners of stores in Merced and Salida, Calif.
• Merrill and Jared Robinson, owners of stores in Albuquerque and Peralta, New Mexico
• Doug and Deanna Baumann, Lance and Twyla Gardiner, Bob and Donna Dunn, owners of stores in Edmonton, Edson, Ft. Saskatchewan and Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada
• Bill Ellis and Pat Lackey, owners of stores in Langhorne, Pa. and Somerset, N.J.
• Chris Cole and Randy Hrabe, of Riverside, Calif.

Jeff Bleecker, Bill Ellis and Kelly Ryan were elected to serve on the Volvo Rents Franchise Advisory Council. Outgoing members — Larry Kirkpatrick, Pete Post and Paul Bullock — were honored for serving their terms.