JOE OCCHIATO

Joe and his wife Joan have 2 children.They are Michael and Joyce.Joe lived in Pueblo where he was president of Pepsi Cola Bottling.Joe, whom most considered the leader of the Occhiato Clan, has a list of accomplishments that is much to long for these pages.In the mid 1950's Joe's father turned the company over to his children and it ws Joe whom he intrusted to lead the family Pepsi enterprise.With Joe at the helm Pepsi Cola Bottling of Pueblo went from a small family business with a antiquated bottling line and a few delivery trucks to one of the industry's largest operations west of the Mississippi.In 1950 the company worked out of its original small brick building on scivally street in Pueblo.By 1980 the Pueblo plant streched for 2 blocks along the interstate highway and included 2 bottling lines and one canning line.In addition the few trucks they had in 1950 working out of the one location had by 1980 turned into 100+ working out of 15 locations and spread across 3 states. It was Joe's vision,drive, and leadership that helped bring about the companies phenominal growth. As a direct result of that growth the soft drinks sold by Pepsi Cola Bottling of Pueblo had the highest rate of per capita consumption in the western United States.This was born out when the Pueblo Company was given a plaque for its per capita sales by the Pepsi Cola Company

Here is a picture showing Joe along with his father Mike,brother Carl ,and nephew Charles Carducci recieving the Per Capita Sales award from the President of Pepsi Cola Company's Western Division.
In addition Joe also won many individual awards both in buiness and in his community.From serving as President of the Jaycees to being one of the fonders of Old Timers youth baseball Joe was known for his contributions to his community.Because of that contribution the largest building on the Colorado State University-Pueblo Campus is "The Joe Occhato Center". Joe passed away in 1982.Joan still resides in Puebloand is still very active in her community.She has been a major benefactor to the university and also gives her time by serving on several boards including The executive board of The Pueblo Nature Center.

MIKE OCCHIATO FAMILY

The above picture is significant because it shows Mike Occhiato Sr. with his grandson and namesake.That Mike (MOcchiato@aol.com) has 3 children.They are Jennifer,Mike(Mick),
and Jim. Mike more than anyone in our generation of cousins exemplifies the true meaning of carrying on a legacy of giving back to your community. After a long career in the Pepsi business, working in both the family franchise and for corporate Pepsi after their purchase of the family business ,Mike went into politics .Since the sale of the family business Mike has given 16 years of his life serving his community.He was elected 4 times by members of his community to serve as a comissioner for the city of Pueblo.The job of comissioner does not provide an income but rather just enough to maybe cover the cost of gas to travel to and from meetings.In other words he is truly giving his time to his community.After his first 2 terms Mike left the city and made a bid for state representative. Mike made it a close race but just fell short as a Republican in an area that has the highest % of registered democrats in the state.If anyone had thought that because of that setback Mike had lost the support he had always had when he was a city comissioner had to think again because although it had been 8 years since he last was a comissioner Mike decided to run again and won by a landslide.Within the framework of having a seat on the city comission Mike has additional duties serving on the numerous boards and connittees.In addition somehow Mike still finds time for working in the real estate business.

Jennifer Occhiato Jennifer (j-occhiato@hotmail.com) is in Denver.After college Jennifer was hired The Pepsi Cola Company(Pepsico).She was a human resourses representative in the Denver office.Ironically she spent some time in Pueblo evaluating the employees at the Pueblo operation.Jennifer and her husband who flies the friendly skies of United reside in Denver with their 3 children of which 2 are twins.

Michael (MICK) Occhiato Mick is living in Fort Collins with his wife and 3 children.They have 2 girls,Michaelyn and Jacuelyn and also 1 boy, Dominic.Dominic so far is the only child to carry on the Occhiato name.

Jim Occhiato Jim occhiato@us.ibm.com resides in Atlanta and is with IBM inc.. When asked to describe himself Jim has this to say. "Jim Occhiato - quality individual and an outstanding model American citizen.He is Barrel-chested, fire-breathing ball of testosterone. Jim is still single.

Jim also was once a member of the Occhiato cousins motorcycle gang

Jim in back with other gang member cousins Brad Carducci and Dan Spies.

JOYCE OCCHIATO KELLY FAMILY

Joyce (jokelley@worldnet.att.net) is married to Dr. Ralph Kelley.Joyce has three children.They are Daniel,Wendy,and Joan.Joyce and Dr. Kelley recently moved to Colorado Springs.Joyce is also active in community affairs and currenly sits on the Pueblo Community College Board.

Dan Spiess Dan (daniel.spiess@imckesson.com) and his wife Petra live in Fort Collins.Dan is a software engineer for McKesson Access Health Group in Broomfield.

Wendy Spiess Wendy (wcampb@hotmail.com) has 2 children and lives in Colorado Springs.Wendy is an account representative for KCCY Radio station.

Joan Spiess Joan is Joyce's youngest child and also the namesake of her Grandmother.