On Friday, April 26th, join Chancellor Dr. Charles Davis and the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education department for their Executive Management Series, co-sponsored by The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Alumni Society, and The Diamond City Partnership. The Executive Management Series is held at the Best Western Genetti Hotel and Conference Center in Wilkes-Barre, beginning at 7:45 a.m.
An Hour with Joe Amato is an inspiring story about succeeding in today's business world, about entrepreneurial spirit, and about Mr. Amato's vision and marketing strategies for the newly purchased complex in downtown Wilkes-Barre. Mr. Amato, a 5-time National Hot Rod Association Drag racing World Champion, is successful not only on the track but also in business. He began his off-the-track career in the automotive part business before moving into real estate. Join us for insight as to how this entrepreneur turned his life into the success that it is today.
Few drivers in the 50+ year history of the National Hot Rod Association can truly be classified as legends of the sport. But without question, one of the icons of the quarter-mile is Joe Amato. With a stunning 52 national event victories in 99 professional final round appearances, a legacy of five World Championships including an unprecedented three series titles in a row, and making headlines across the country in '96 with the sport's first 4.5 second pass, Amato's name and ever-smiling visage will forever be a part of straight-line racing. It was Joe himself who stopped his meteoric career after two eye surgeries prompted his doctors to advise immediate retirement from drag racing. After giving up the driver's seat of his top fuel dragster, Joe continued to own and operate Amato Racing, filling the seat of the race car with 2 different rookie top fuel drivers. For the 2000 through 2005 racing seasons, Joe gave the chance of a lifetime, as the pilot of his dragster, to two young men, both great drivers. But after the 2005 season, Joe felt it was time to move on from the professional racing circuit, and concentrate his energies in a new direction. His new passion was a familiar one. Through the early beginnings and successive expansions of his automotive parts and accessories distributor business, Keystone Automotive, Joe was involved in the commercial real estate world. Though no longer involved in Keystone Automotive, Joe now owns and operates multiple commercial properties, through Joe Amato Properties, comprising of over 366,000 sq. ft. of rental space, some prime pieces of vacant land destined for further commercial development. He is also involved in local housing developments, Saddle Ridge and Stone Bridge. Joe's most recent property acquisition is located in downtown Wilkes Barre, in the heart of the city. This property, now known as City Centre, is comprised of over 80,000 sq feet of commercial space, a large part of which is occupied by RC Theatres, who operates Movies 14, a state-of-the-art theatre complex. All of Joe's endeavors are a challenge in their own unique way, and the new things that lie ahead for this project provide the excitement that helps to drive Joe to continue to expand his ventures in our local real estate.
Cost is $15.00 per person. New this spring is the option to purchase a table of eight for $100, a $20 savings from the individual rate. Payment in full must accompany your registration form. E-mail, fax, or telephone registration must be accompanied by your credit card information. Five business days' advance notice will be required to cancel a registration and not incur the registration fee. Substitutions for registered participants will be accepted.
Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education is part of Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education, serving more than 5 million people each year, delivering more than 2,000 programs to people in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, all 50 states and 80 countries worldwide.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Sandy Race in the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education office at [email protected] or 570-675-9253.
