A graduate of Pace University, Craig Pestone earned a bachelor of science in business from the school in 1998 and began working as director of sales at Van Nest Auto Parts, a fifth-generation, family-owned wholesale auto parts business in New York City. Craig Pestone spent 10 years as director of sales, during which time he oversaw key accounts, identified new business leads, and transformed the company's sales strategy to prioritize larger government and private sector transportation fleets. He has been CEO and managing partner at Van Nest Auto Parts since 2007.

 

In this capacity, he has continued to grow the business and diversify its clientele. Van Nest now provides aftermarket auto parts to rental car companies, NYC taxis, Ubers, and ambulatory and bus accounts. Under the direction of Craig Pestone, the company has routinely exceeded monthly sales targets and experienced a revenue increase of more than 270 percent in the last five years.

 

Mr. Pestone has earned several awards for his business leadership, including the NY State Empire Award (2021) and Hertz Great Appreciation Award (2015). In addition to leading Van Nest, he is a real estate managing partner at Pestone Management, overseeing a portfolio of commercial, residential, and multi-family housing properties.