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Third Generation Joins Rizzoli’s

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2007
Contact: Kyle Rizzoli, General Manager (805) 541-1082

Coming Full Circle from “Clean Up Boy” to General Manager of Auto Maintenance Shop

Kyle Rizzoli takes the helm at three-decades-old Family Business

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – When Kyle Rizzoli was 12 years old, he got his first job: Clean Up Boy at his family’s auto maintenance shop, Rizzoli’s Automotive. Over the years, Rizzoli says he has “worked every position at the shop, from secretary to mechanic. Whatever was needed, I did.” Through this hands-on education, Rizzoli found he had an aptitude for the mechanics of the job, as well as the business acumen for management. Rizzoli, now 23, graduated from Cal Poly on June 16, and moved into the position of general manager of Rizzoli’s on June 25.

Rizzoli studied Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly, with the intent of pursuing a career in the racing industry. Both he and his father, Jim, have been involved in racing and maintaining racecars. The younger Rizzoli even had an engineering internship during school at a high performance racecar assembly and fabrication company. But, as he says, it became evident through his schooling that he really enjoyed the business side of engineering. So when his parents offered the opportunity to run the family business, he “jumped at it.”
Kyle’s sister, Karen has also been involved in the family business most of her life. She is officially part of the team now as well, working as administrative assistant.

Rizzoli’s Automotive was started in 1976 by Kyle Rizzoli’s grandparents, Mario and Mary, and Kyle’s father, Jim. Well-known and liked in the community, the Rizzolis were able to establish a booming business. In 1989, Jim and his wife Kay purchased the business. Currently, Jim and Kay are still actively involved in the running of Rizzoli’s. Jim is the president and Kay chief financial officer. But the younger generation is now the lead on determining the future direction of the business. “It’s natural that we’d have some changes we want to make in the business,” says Kyle Rizzoli. “But one thing that will never change is the philosophy with which my family started the business: Do things the right way, the first time, and treat everyone as you would like to be treated. These have always been the core values of Rizzoli’s, and I will continue that tradition. We care and I think that shows through to our work.”

For more information or for an interview, please call Kyle Rizzoli at (805) 541-1082 or log onto www.rizzolisautomotive.com.