Motor oil in his blood

It was 22 years ago when Danny Rakow took over the AAMCO Transmissions franchise on Merrick Road in Valley Stream, just east of the railroad tracks. In that time he has owned nine other AAMCO shops, a quick lube, tire store and general repair shop, but has gone back to just focusing on his hometown shop.

For his efforts, Rakow was named the Small Businessperson of the Year from the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce by the Nassau County Council of Chambers. Business leaders from across the county gathered for the council’s 25th annual awards breakfast on Oct. 16 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.

Rakow, a 1972 graduate of Central High School, learned the trade through the district’s automotive program. “I consider that my foundation of good business and being a good technician,” he said.

He actually got his start at 14, helping to install a clutch in his friend’s brother’s 1964 Corvette. “I’ve been working on cars ever since,” he said.

After high school, Rakow worked for five years at various repair shops before opening up his own, Danny’s Automotive, in Mineola. He ran that shop for eight years and in 1985 went to work for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. He was an automotive facilities inspector, where he would license car dealerships and investigate consumer fraud.

Two years later, he returned to the auto care business, taking over the management of the Valley Stream AAMCO. He doesn’t do much in the way of repairs anymore, only occasionally doing some high-end diagnostics. “Today, I am totally engaged in the business,” he said,

Rakow has seven employees including one of the few female A technicians on Long Island. His sister, Debbi Gyulay, serves as office manager. The shop services about 1,000 cars each year.

“We’ve built up a reputation of loyalty and honesty,” Rakow said. “In a very difficult climate, we’ve been able to succeed because of that.”

The Malverne resident said he has owned 20 classic cars over the years. Currently, he has a 1966 Plymouth.

Rakow is a board member on the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce. He is also a board member for the Long Island Gasoline Retailers, chairman of the Metropolitan AAMCO Association, executive member of the National AAMCO Dealers Association, past chairman of the Greater New York AAMCO Advertising Committee and an advisor for the Bronx Community College automobile education program. Additionally, he is a partner of Adelson Business Solutions, which focuses on training for automotive salespeople.

He was nominated for his award by fellow chamber board member Lucy Viggiano, who was last year’s small business recipient from Valley Stream. “He does a lot for the chamber,” Viggiano said. “He’s put some very good ideas together.”

Viggiano explained that Rakow is very interested in portraying a good image of Valley Stream, and said he was instrumental in getting the chamber to purchase new holiday lights to place around the village.

Rakow said he was honored to received the award. “Sometimes when you get caught up in the day-to-day of doing business,” he said, “it feels good to be recognized by your peers.”