Women's Board names Gatto top female shop owner

BETHESDA, Md. (Oct. 29, 2015) — The Car Care Council (CCC) Women's Board has named Pamela Gatto, president of Gatto's Tires & Auto Service of Melbourne, Fla., as its Female Shop Owner of the Year for 2015.

Ms. Gatto will be presented with the award Nov. 3 at the Women's Board press conference and reception at the Sands Expo Center during the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas.

The award is bestowed annually to an auto care shop owner in recognition of her involvement in the industry and commitment to the advancement of women.

“Pamela is an inspiration to me and the many female shop owners across the country,” said Amy Mattinat, president of the CCC's Women's Board and owner of Auto Craftsmen, Montpelier, Vt.

“Not only does she run six locations of Gatto's Tires & Auto Service, but she still finds time to be involved in the tire industry and give back to her community.

“This award is truly a well-deserved tribute to her leadership abilities and commitment to the advancement of women within the auto care and tire industry.”

Kathleen Schmatz, who is retiring this year as president and CEO of the Auto Care Association, shared a similar sentiment.

“Pamela has accomplishments both nationally and locally, in the industry and in her community, making her a great role model for any woman in the industry,” she said.

Gatto's Tires has six locations in Brevard County, Fla. The Women's Board said that many years ago Ms. Gatto dived into the family business, founded by her father, and in 1994 became president and took over the dealership's ownership.

She gained national attention in 1997 when she became the first female president of the Tire Association of North America, predecessor to today's the Tire Industry Association. She is also a past president of the Florida Independent Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association and is one of only three women inducted into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame (inducted in 2001).

The Women's Board has invited all to attend the AAPEX reception, which will be held at 4 p.m. in room 310 at the Sands Expo Center. At that time the organization also will recognize Tammy (Chaffee) Tecklenburg, vice president of global sales and marketing operations for Spectrum Brands — Global Auto Care, as the 2015 recipient of its Auto Care Woman of the Year award.

More information about the Women's Board is available on its website.