As Pecheles Automotive Group marked its 60th anniversary, Greenville businessman Brian Pecheles again showed he’s as committed to strengthening his community as he is to carrying forward the growth and service that define his family-owned business.
What began in 1965, when Elma and Joe Pecheles opened Pecheles Volkswagen, has grown into a six-dealership automotive group with operations in Greenville, Washington, and New Bern. As president of Pecheles Automotive Group since 1983, Brian Pecheles has guided much of that expansion, and while he continues to invest in facilities and the development of 250 employees, he hasn’t forgotten to give back to the community.
Each year, Pecheles Automotive Group donates nearly $500,000 to nonprofits throughout eastern North Carolina. That philanthropy was on full display this fall, when Pecheles presented a gift to the PCC Foundation, securing naming rights to an Automotive Systems Technology Lab on campus.
For this month’s edition of Foundation for Success, PCC Development Officer John Bacon sat down with Pecheles to learn more about his background and his thoughts on the importance of supporting Pitt Community College.
Hometown/Residence:
Greenville, N.C.
Occupational/Educational Background:
A UNC-Chapel Hill graduate, Brian Pecheles joined Pecheles Automotive Group in 1981. He is president of the company, which now includes Joe Pecheles Volkswagen, Joe Pecheles Hyundai, Audi Greenville, Pecheles Ford, Pecheles Toyota and Pecheles Honda.
Family Background:
Brian and his wife, Suzanne, have a son, Brian, daughter-in-law, Missy, and grandson, Joe, who is named after his great-grandfather (so, hopefully, there will be a fourth generation in the car business).
What is the value of Pitt Community College to Pitt County and the region?
Brian Pecheles: “Pitt Community College allows people to further their education, offering more opportunities for successful careers or to go onto higher education. We need to have more people entering the trades, such as auto technicians, HVAC, plumbing, electricians, etc., and Pitt Community College allows access to those interested in these areas, and many more, in eastern North Carolina.”
Why was it important to name the automotive classroom at PCC for Pecheles Automotive?
Brian Pecheles: “We want to give back to Pitt Community College, specifically the Construction & Industrial Technology Division and the Automotive Systems classes, as we’ve been able to recruit technicians from the program over the years. We are big on supporting local companies, which includes the community college, where we gain valuable employees.”