October 2004
Peter Domante was born in Manhattan's lower west side during World War II. He graduated from St. Agnes High School and attended Pace University for 2 years at night.
Peter started in the truck leasing industry in 1963 at the age of 18, right out of high school. He was given O.J.T. at Hertz Truck Rental, which was at that time controlled the truck leasing market in New York City with over 50 locations and 10,000 vehicles. He worked at various jobs from the Parts Department to Dispatcher to Service Manager.
After brief active duty in 1965 in the New York National Guard's famous 69th Reg. of the Rainbow Division, he then went to work for Roadway Maintenance Co. as a Road Service Manager for two years. He later returned to Hertz in 1970 at their 23rd Street Manhattan location as the Service Manager for 200 Vehicles. A few years later he was promoted to Maintenance Manager for the Brooklyn operation of Hertz and was responsible for 500 vehicles.
After Penske took the Hertz operations over Peter was responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Rockaway Blvd., Long Island City, College Point and Elmsford locations plus fleets at Emery Air Freight and Airborne locations, which totaled about 900 vehicles. As Penske was down sizing the New York area Pete decided to move on.
In 1983 Gelco Truck Leasing offered Peter the Maintenance Manager's position of their locations in the Bronx, New Haven and Hicksville Long Island, which had about 600 vehicles. At that time Gelco was a well-structured company that was innovative and computerized. They were a leader in computer technology on trucks. What we see today was already in testing at Gelco with the cooperation of TRW and Cummins as early as 1985. Major fleets in the US were equipped with a "Fuel Tech" system to increase fuel economy and govern road speeds. Once the computer age reached the trucking industry there was no limit to what we were to see and the future is limitless. Cruise control in trucks was being used in Gelco trucks in the 80's.
In 1990 during the hostile takeover years Gelco was a target of groups of investors which would have split the company and sold off pieces. G.E. made the stockholders the best offer and acquired Gelco. Penske being part of G.E. was merged with Gelco and Pete found himself once again working for Penske for a short time. As Penske sold locations it didn't want, Pete stayed with the Buyer of the Bronx location, which was Mendon Leasing. Pete became Branch Manager in the Bronx and was later transferred to Brooklyn.
Today he is the Branch Manager in New York City with a fleet of 300 vehicles. What's next "WHO KNOWS"?
Pete has been married for 32 years to wife Julie and resides in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. They have 2 sons, Jonathan who is married and resides in Staten Island, graduated from Wagner College and Seton Hall Law School and passed the New York and New Jersey bar exams in July 2003. He is working for a law firm in Woodbridge, New Jersey and married his wife from college. Joseph is 18 years old and is a freshman at Wagner College.
Pete used to play many sports, but now has to satisfy himself as a spectator but he states he will golf if called upon.
Meetings
Wednesday, Feb 15 2012
Koenig’s Restaurant
86 South Tyson Ave.
Floral Park, NY 11001
For directions, click here.
Cocktail Hour at 6 PM - 7 PM
Dinner and Meeting at 7 PM
Members - $35 Guests - $45
Spotlight Supplier
Interested in becoming a Spotlight Supplier? Click here.