2008 10 Under 40 Awards

Joseph Gold

President and co-owner | Gold Glass Group | Bohemia, N.Y.

Age: 38
One-word description of self: Driven
One-word description of the auto glass industry: Family
Favorite Web site: gggcorp.com
Lesson learned the hard way: You're only as good as the team of people you work with.

At 38, Joe Gold has more than 30 years experience in the glass industry. "I was born into it," he says. "My father started taking me to work on Saturdays as soon as I could walk."

A fifth-generation glass businessman, Gold got his official start in the industry in 1993 as a customer service representative at the family-owned Nassau Glass in Hempstead, N.Y. After working his way up to general manager, he joined his father Peter at Gold Glass Group in 1998. Today, he's building on the family legacy as president and co-owner of the Bohemia, N.Y., auto glass sundries supplier.

"I love going to work," Gold says. "Sometimes I wake up at 4:30 in the morning and I can't wait to come in, so I just do. I can't wait to get here."

Under his leadership, Gold Glass Group has expanded its product line and international reach significantly, a feat General Manager Martin Bobinger attributes to Gold's quality-focused approach.

"Many people in our industry are only thinking about price, price, price," Bobinger says. "Joe's approach is more focused on quality and service. This affects everyone, from the glass installer who has to use the product, to the people who evaluate the professionalism of our industry as a whole."

Mark Daniels, technical specialist, agrees. "Joseph saw an opportunity to make a difference by offering quality, part-specific moldings and sensors to auto glass replacement companies at a time when there was a need," he says. "He took a big risk adding that line to the company's offerings."

Yet, Gold is quick to share credit for the company's success with his co-workers. "It's not about me, it's about the company," he says. "My biggest accomplishment is putting together the team of people I work with. [They are one of] the reasons for [our] great success."

Outside of work, Gold enjoys spending time with his family and traveling around the world. At press time, his oldest son Lucas was about to turn 2 and he and his wife Maija had just welcomed son Sebastian nine days earlier. "First comes family," he says. "My wife and I love to spend time outdoors, whether it's hiking, snowboarding or seeing the world."