Joseph S. Rodi, President

Joseph Rodi is a true American success story. Born in Italy, the eldest of five children, he spent his earliest years in his war ravaged country. When Joseph was 11, his father passed away, so he was left to support his family. In 1956, Joseph, his mother, two brothers, and two sisters left Northern Italy for a new life in America. Though no one in the family spoke a word of English, Joseph, then 17, was filled with hope to achieve the American Dream. His family was greeted by relatives who brought them to South Camden, New Jersey, to begin their new life.

Joseph took a job in a bakery where he labored 15 hours a day, seven days a week. After several months, he tired of the regiment of the bakery profession and chose to return to the trade he knew and loved -- auto body repair.

He worked for several years honing his skills at several shops in the area while taking trade classes at night at Camden's Woodrow Wilson High School. In 1965, he put $100 down on a parcel of land on Haddonfield Road in Cherry Hill and opened Rodi's Auto Body in an existing barn on the site. Word grew quickly of his quality work and people flocked to his business. In three short years, Joseph was so successful that he was able to sell the business to pursue other endeavors. In 1975, the buyers defaulted and Joseph was back in the auto body business -- this time to stay.

Joseph has made many friends over the years and has been active in many civic and philanthropic causes. His community service includes 16 years on the Camden County Planning Board, terms on New Jersey's Economic Development Commission, and four years as a member of New Jersey's Racing Commission. Joseph also served four years on the Board of Directors of Cooper Medical Center.

Joseph has been the recipient of many honors over the years. One that he is most proud of is being named Man-of-the-Year by the Sons of Italy in 1998. More recently, in 2006, he earned his Doctor of Business Administration (summa cum laude!) from Somerset University.

Joseph's philosophies are simple, yet poignant, "You meet a lot of people . . . you help a lot of people." He both admires and lives the words of Abraham Lincoln: "Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it." He lives to help people. The pride he takes in his work has made the difference for thousands in his lifetime and has helped shape his success in achieving the American Dream.

Operations Manager / Vice President

The son of founder Joseph Rodi, Anthony Rodi has been a working part of Rodi's Auto since he was seven years old. Starting out by helping his father clean up the shop, he soon took a keen interest in the skills needed to repair vehicles. As he grew, he became more and more active in the repair process, working in various capacities throughout the facility. He went on to Villanova University after high school, earning a degree in business. After college, he took a management position with a cleaning service company for several years before returning to the family business, initially in the vehicle finishing area. As demands grew in the front office, he moved over to operate the Claim Reporting and Assistance Center, the operation that provides the customer with an advocate in having his or her claim processed properly and promptly.