Arnold Gacita is the President and Founder of Houston-based Petra Automotive Products, Inc., one of the fastest growing chemical companies and a trusted brand throughout the United States and 38 countries. From an early age, Arnold, who emigrated to the U.S. from Cuba when he was seven months old, learned two important lessons: you shouldn’t take anything for granted; and you have to out work everyone else. As a child, his grandfather, who left behind a successful grocery store and meat market in Cuba, told him, “no matter what position you have , do something; if you see a broom, pick it up and start sweeping.” He learned his work ethics from seeing his Father work 14-16 hours shifts as a painter for an oil tools company. An entrepreneur from an early age, Arnold worked in the streets after school and in the summers, selling a variety of products – from furniture his grandfather and uncle built to snow cones.
Arnold honed his entrepreneurial skills at Wynn’s, a performance polymers division of the publicly-traded Illinois Tool Works, Inc., when he went to work for a local distributor and turned it into the #1 Wynn’s distributor in the U.S. After Arnold developed a groundbreaking sales method based on relationship-building and selling programs rather than just products, Wynn’s took notice, bringing him in-house and promoting him from business development manager to national sales manager to director of sales and marketing for the Americas Group of Wynn’s.
After 18 years at Wynn’s, Arnold started Petra Automotive Products, Inc., in 2010, and since then, business has doubled four times and has outgrown its facility four times. In 2016, Arnold purchased a plot of land in Cypress where he built Petra’s headquarters. Under Arnold’s leadership, Petra has broken sales records consistently each year and currently has 1300 people selling its products throughout the world and in approximately 4800+ automotive dealerships in the U.S. . He also has served as a longtime member of the prestigious Automotive Sales Council, an elite group of 100 top automotive industry executives. He is the former Chairman of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (2020). Arnold is also the host of the new and highly popular podcast: Wheels, Deals & Meals. Arnold is also the Founder of Petra Cares, their charity arm which takes homeless young adults, and those exiting the foster care program. They teach them automotive mechanic skills, level 1 technicians and places them in the work force.
Named one of the winners for 2018 Governors Business Award. Also, Named 2017 Male Entrepreneur of the Year by the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Arnold’s business success is matched by his commitment to community service. He sponsors programs for area schools and teachers, sends food and supplies to flood victims and has served as a mentor at Christian colleges. In 2017, Arnold also received the Hero Award from Giving Hope in New Orleans for his community service and efforts to establish orphanages. In 2019 he had a dream come true as he, along with Giving Home completed an orphanage in Brazil, dedicated August 2019.
Arnold believes that we are distributors of God’s blessing.
Arnold spends his free time with his family – wife Veronica, daughter Victoria, two sons Andrew and Arnold Jr., daughter-in-law Megan (Arnold Jr.’s wife) and his granddaughter, Mila and grandson Leo.
