Twice a month, we will utilize this blog to showcase some of the employees of Pocono Raceway. Today, we feature Bob and Ginny Pallo. Bob is Vice President of Military Affairs and Ginny, Administrative Assistant for Military Affairs. They have been married for 43 years and have three children, Tiffany, Shaun and Kyle as well as five grandchildren and one more on the way. Shaun and Kyle are both active military, serving in the U.S. Army. Bob, originally from the Pocono’s and Ginny, from Philadelphia, first met during their senior year of high school. Ginny moved to the area shortly after that and has been here since. The couple sat down for a quick interview.
Q: When did you start working at Pocono?
Bob: In the winter of 1978, I started as a track photographer, then biting off more than I could chew and finding a few sponsors to support my needs to perform my functions here. ‘Doc’ Mattioli basically said if you can do that and get a sponsor for yourself, you can do it for me and make money doing it. That’s how I started in the sales side, marketing, etc. back in the early days of the track.
Ginny: I started here a couple of years later. We had our own photography business in the mall. I stayed and ran that. Then the big chains came in and kind of out did me, so I had to close my store. Then I came here and worked part-time in the different departments. I was ‘Doc’s’ and Dr. Rose Mattioli’s secretary, I worked in the credential office, accounting, and helped Bob with sales as well, eventually becoming his secretary.
Bob: Then in the winter months, since there wasn’t work here at that time, we both went down to the ski slope the track owned at the time, Alpine Mountain, and ran the ski slope.
Q: What is your favorite Dr. Joseph ‘Doc’ Mattioli story?
Bob: The first thing that comes to mind is my very first function with ‘Doc.’ In the winter of 1978-79, we went to “Tavern on the Green” for the announcement of the INDY 500. Stars like Roberta Flack, Sister Sledge, John Belushi were present. John Belushi proceeded to think that it was a Roast of ‘Doc’ Mattioli, and it had to be the funniest one-on-one that I have ever experienced in my young life. Belushi was ripping ‘Doc’ and ‘Doc’ was ripping back. I can’t remember the exact details of it but John Belushi was a funny, funny man. A funny story with Kyle, our youngest comes to mind as well. Kyle worked for us since he was young and was here every race weekend. Somewhere around fifth or sixth grade, we did a presentation at the local elementary school. ‘Doc’ Mattioli wanted us to invite elementary school kid’s to an open NASCAR practice we were having, just to give them the feel for the sport. Kyle came with his classmates. Channel 16 was there and they needed someone to interview. They chose Kyle. Kyle did the interview with them and answered questions like why his fellow students were there and what he thought they might get out of the day. His answer was along the lines of “becoming future race fans.”
The following day ‘Doc’ called all three of us into his office. Doc’s rule was no one spoke to the press without his knowledge, and we thought Kyle was going to get in trouble. We pulled Kyle out of school for the meeting. The long and short is ‘Doc’ complemented him, said it was the best interview he’s seen in a long time. He offered the job of Junior Ambassador to Kyle. So he became the first Junior Ambassador of the track. His job was to visit his fifth and sixth grade classes and invite them to a Friday or Saturday as his guest. That’s how we started having kid’s at the track.
Ginny: I just remember all of the times that after an event we would go back to ‘Doc’s’ Tower, drink, eat, hangout and hash out what happened at the event, what we did right, what we did wrong. It was the greatest time with memories of him.
Q: What’s kept you at it all this time?
Ginny: The Mattioli family. The family has been fantastic through the years.
Bob: When we first got married, we were self-employed. I was self-employed prior to us being married, in the photography business and as a young person growing up in the Pocono’s, resort business is all we knew, so it was service, it was people, and I guess the business thing back then and still is people. Transitioning out of self-employment into working here at the track and for the Mattioli’s was more about being family then what people think about when working for a big corporation. It was all about being part of the family.
Q: What is your favorite spot at Pocono Raceway to watch the race?
Bob: We really were not race fans when we started. We now love the sport, we love the people, we love the events and everything about it, and what goes into it. But we’ve never really had the opportunity to watch because we’ve always worked the events. A couple of years ago we went to Dover and just happened to sit and watch the race on the Bridge and all of a sudden Ginny became a fan again.
Ginny: Oh, that was awesome! I never realized what it was like because I’m sitting in an office and it’s on the TV and I’m watching some of it but not a lot of it because I’m working. But when I was there at Dover and those cars went under the bridge, “What a thrill!” I wouldn’t trade this now for anything!
Bob: I guess to answer your question, our favorite spot to watch the race by nature of what we do, is Monday, at home, on video. Since we don’t really get to sit and enjoy that day.
Q: What is it like working with CEO Brandon Igdalsky and COO Nick Igdalsky who you really watched grow up?
Bob: I have memories of Brandon and Nick, either in a stroller or being carried in front of or around Victory Lane. Same as we have of our daughter, and son’s. For example, our daughter in Victory Lane with Gov. Casey and then just growing up over the years of working with ‘Doc’, working with (Track Superintendent) George Ewald, and working with us. The boys being outside digging a ditch. Growing into this property and knowing every inch of it, every acre, nut, bolt. As CEO & COO they are probably the only two executives for any venue that truly know how the property was assembled, put together, and maintained. I don’t think that any other property can honestly say that.
Ginny: My experience with Brandon is a little difference. He actually worked for me doing hospitality. When I worked in that department with Love Mattioli, we would have to send someone for ice or soda, whatever the suites needed. Brandon was always the first one to go, go, go. Then Brandon took over hospitality and I worked under him. Now he is the boss so it’s been great to see him grow.
Dave Richards |
Great Story from Great People
Jean Fortner |
I worked at Pocono Raceway as Bob Pallo’s Secretary from 1990-1996. During that time I got to know Bob, Ginny and their family and to this day consider them part of my “family”. Both Bob and Ginny are amazing people who have survived life’s battles and come through smiling. I admire both of them for their strength and resilience.
Pattie Miller |
Bob and Ginny I can say I am honored to have worked with you both and was the best 15 years I ever had , you both always had a smile and kind words to others and many laughs as well but will say I would not trade those years for anything you all taught me so much over the years and makes me wish I was still there
Donna M. Gatcha Hines- Nascar and Pocono Raceway Fan Council Member |
Fantastic blog on two fascinating people that I had the pleasure of meeting as a fan council member . We worked side by side during many non profit events up at the track with March of Dimes and American Red Cross. I learned so much from them both and am grateful to call them both friends of mine. The Pallo’s are truly an inspiration to us all.
Pete Dickson |
I’ve worked with Bob & Ginny now for 27 years…. great team and we are all family!