Dealer Profile: Tony Troilo, MTD's Dealer of the Year

Sept. 1, 1995

As with every Dealer of the Year, we like to ask some personal questions of our winners. What makes them tick, who do they admire, and who their influences are. We asked Joe Troilo for a quick rundown. 

Full name: Joseph Anthony Troilo Jr.

Nickname: Tony

Age: 45

Hobby: Volunteer fireman (since mid-1960s)

I’m most proud of: My family

Favorite childhood memory: Family vacations at the beach

Biggest regret: Trauma I put everyone through when I had my accident

Favorite book: “Gone With the Wind”

Favorite movie: “Sound of Music”

Favorite television shows: “The Commish,” “Lassie”

Favorite actor, actress: Richard Pryor, Barbra Streisand

Favorite athlete: Sam Huff

Favorite sport: Football

Favorite politician: Pope John Paul II

Favorite food: Soup, any kind; Italian food

Are you a morning or a night person? Night

My friends like me because: I’m genuine

My goals in life are: To be happy and successful but not at the expense of others

A perfect evening for me is: Being with my wife and family

Nobody knows that I: Have no sense of smell

Smartest thing I’ve ever done: Married Pat

Best advice your parents gave you: Be yourself and respect others and love God

You’re advice to children: Respect others and yourself and stay in school

You’re most humbling experience: My accident

The great thing about tire dealers today is: They can be as successful as they want to be

You’re advice to a tire dealer just starting out: Be open-minded and open to explore new avenues

About the Author

Bob Ulrich

Bob Ulrich was named Modern Tire Dealer editor in August 2000 and retired in January 2020. He joined the magazine in 1985 as assistant editor, and had been responsible for gathering statistical information for MTD's "Facts Issue" since 1993. He won numerous awards for editorial and feature writing, including five gold medals from the International Automotive Media Association. Bob earned a B.A. in English literature from Ohio Northern University and has a law degree from the University of Akron.