Joe Mattioli, III leaves Pocono Raceway to pursue new endeavors
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 concluded.
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.