A familiar face joins AAA South Jersey board

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Adam Taliaferro was almost permanently paralyzed by a spinal cord injury he suffered playing football for Penn State in 2000.

AAA South Jersey has announced the addition of Voorhees native Adam Taliaferro to its board of directors.

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Taliaferro brings with him a wealth of experience in philanthropy and a deep connection to South Jersey. The chairman of his own eponymous foundation, he rose to national prominence as a freshman cornerback for Penn State football. But in only his fifth game – against Ohio State in 2000 – Taliaferro suffered a spinal cord injury that doctors said would leave him paralyzed.

He walked out of a Philadelphia rehab five months later.

The former athlete’s recovery inspired the creation of the Adam Taliaferro Foundation in 2001. Now celebrating its 25th year, the organiztion has donated more than $3 million to support individuals in the tri-state area with serious spinal cord injuries.

“I spent eight months in the hospital and throughout that time, I witnessed many people who didn’t have the financial resources or emotional support to cope with their injuries,” Taliaferro recalled. “After I made it through my own recovery, my high-school football coach and other South Jersey coaches came up with the idea to create a foundation to provide others with the same support I received.

“Whether it’s helping with the financial burden of recovery or simply offering emotional support to remind people, ‘You can get through this,’ the foundation aims to provide that same level of care and encouragement.”

Taliaferro graduated from Penn in 2005 and got a degree from Rutgers Law School three years later. He remains a passionate supporter of Penn State athletics and Philadelphia sports teams. In addition to his foundation work, the father of two spent eight years in the state assembly, representing parts of Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties.

Taliaferro currently works for a large pharmaceutical company and he cited AAA’s support for others as a reason he joined its board.

“What truly attracted me to this opportunity is AAA’s commitment, both in South Jersey and nationwide, to helping people in their everyday lives,” he noted. “I’ve personally experienced the power of support from others and the chance to give back by offering insights and strategies to assist those in need is something I’m genuinely excited about.

“This is an ideal fit, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to contribute as a member of such a distinguished board.”

“It is an honor to welcome Adam Taliaferro to the AAA South Jersey board,” said president and CEO David Antrilli. “Adam is truly a special individual who consistently strives to do good, mentor, and help others. His journey is nothing short of inspiring.”


AAA was founded in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts advocating for better roads and safe mobility. It provides services like roadside assistance and travel planning to more than 63 million members in North America, 56 million of them in the U.S.

For more information or to become a member, visit AAA.com.

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