Robert Sickel, owner of Pine Belt Enterprises, Inc., recently assumed the chairmanship of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR), succeeding Leonard R. Datello (Cumberland Auto Group) as Chairman.
Rob grew up in the car business. His grandfather, Leon, founded the dealership in 1937 and ran it until 1979, when Rob’s father, David, took over and ran the company until retiring earlier this year. From 2004-2008, Rob worked in every dealership department so he would have a clear understanding of the responsibilities and challenges faced by virtually every employee in the organization; experience that has served him well since he began running the stores in 2013.
Rob was born and raised in Ocean County. He graduated from the University of Miami in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. In addition to running Pine Belt Enterprises, he currently has an ownership interest in variety of other entities, including Blazing Visuals Sign Shop in Point Pleasant, Pine Belt Insurance Agency in Lakewood and a Playa Bowls franchise in Sea Girt. Rob was previously co-owner of a national sports clothing brand, ERGO Clothing, and served as a Director of Harmony Bank from 2007-2016.
Rob was recognized as Man of the Year by the Point Pleasant Elks in 2013 and was named to the Automotive News “40 Under 40” list in 2016. He and the Pine Belt organization support a variety of charitable organizations, including many local community events, the local school systems in Lakewood, Brick, Point Pleasant Boro, Point Pleasant Beach and Toms River, as well as Monmouth Medical Center, where Rob serves on the Operating Board, as well as Chairman of the Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus Foundation.
NJ CAR’s 2019-2020 Senior Officers also include: Vice Chairwoman Judith A. Schumacher-Tilton (Schumacher Chevrolet of Denville, Denville), Secretary Michael F. DiFeo (Hudson Hyundai, Jersey City) and Treasurer James Curley, III(Jim Curley Buick GMC, Lakewood).
Please join NJ CAR in wishing Rob the best of luck during his tenure as NJ CAR Chairman.