Mattioli’s
tenure at Pocono started in 1974 following his graduation from Lehigh
University and spanned over 40 years, with him serving as a member of the Board
of Directors, Executive Committee and as its past President and COO. In 1995,
with Pocono enjoying unprecedented success, Mattioli stepped down as President
and COO, but continued to assist the family business as a member of the Board
and Executive Committee.
“After
college, Joe was heading to law school, but his father asked him to take a year
off and help us at the track,” remembered Joe’s mother and Pocono’s current
Chairman of the Board, Dr. Rose Mattioli. “We were still practicing medicine in
Philadelphia and needed him there at the track. One year turned into over 20,
and he was very instrumental in the Raceway’s success in the early years.”
Joe
Mattioli is especially proud of Pocono’s success through the 70’s and 80’s,
when debt service, a hurricane, a recession, an oil crisis and two sanctioning
body boycotts during the USAC - CART wars threatened to shut the track down.
“This
was a family business, so failure was not an option. With a lot of help,
including major assistance from the France and Hulman families, somehow we
fought our way to success,” Mattioli said.
According
to Mattioli, it makes a lot of sense to leave Pocono Raceway’s management
structure at this point in his life.
“My
dad told me that the secret to happiness is to completely change directions
about every 15 years, and with the track now in the very capable hands of our
next generation, I feel free to do just that,” Mattioli commented. “My nephews,
nieces and sons are the future of Pocono Raceway, and I have no doubt they will
continue to provide leadership, meet the challenges and guide Pocono Raceway
into the future as my Dad’s legacy had always intended.”
Mattioli’s
future plans include focusing more time on non-profit and veterans’
organizations that he supports, such as the Military Warriors Support
Foundation, which provides housing assistance to returning veterans, and the
Motor Sports Institute, which promotes academic success through engagement with
motor racing. He also plans to develop Group 341, a consulting business he
began 2011. With offices in California, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma, Group 341
provides strategic planning, marketing, branding, and event management
consulting services. Group 341 commercial clients include America’s Woodshops
and Active International.
The entire Mattioli family, the
Board of Directors and the Executive Committee wish to thank Joe for all he has
done for the Raceway over the past 40 years and wish him well as he begins the
next chapter in his life.
Mr.Mattioli is a class act. I would like to thank him for all he has done for our sport and wish him luck in his future endevers.
ReplyDelete