New Mexico Military Institute
Alumni Hall of Fame
Marshall A. Pieczentkowski 1959 JCG
Marshall A. “Ski” Pieczentkowski was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, to Rear Admiral and Mrs. H. A. Pieczentkowski. Prior to his senior year of high school, his father felt that young Marshall needed the structure and discipline provided by a military school and enrolled him to attend New Mexico Military Institute. Ski joined the Corps on 4 September 1956 and his world began to change. As a New Cadet in Company L, he had a busy schedule from which only his first love, football, gave him some relief. Ski was a stand-out fullback for the Colts that year and was so promising that Nick Padgen offered him a scholarship to play for the Broncos. In his First Class year, Pieczentkowski played on the only undefeated National Champion Junior College Team in NMMI’s history. He was also the first Bronco football player to play in the Junior College All-Star game and was named to the National Junior College All-American Team.
After graduation from NMMI, Marshall continued his football and education at the University of Arizona where he received All Conference and All American honors. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State College; now known as Northern Arizona University where today he serves on their foundation board of directors. Upon graduation, Ski began his career with Amoco Oil Company in California. Over the next 32 years, Marshall Pieczentkowski’s leadership, tenacity and fierce competitive spirit allowed him to move up the corporate ladder to become the President of Amoco Motor Club and Vice President of Amoco Enterprises before retiring in 1996.
During his tenure at Amoco Oil Company, he became heavily involved in all aspects of the motor club industry and the international towing and recovery industry as well. He was instrumental in upgrading the professionalism of the industry and improving the service provided in assisting motorists in distress. He was a co-founder of the prestigious Towman ACE award which honors emergency road service professionals for service excellence and reliability and the American Towman Standards Authority. He is still active in the Industry today as a consultant.
Pieczentkowski is a member of The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame. He was recognized for eminence in his field of endeavor and his service as President of the National Auto and Travel Organization, which encompasses all of the Motor Clubs in the United States.
Throughout his career he was known for his values of achievement, confidence and especially for his “never say die” attitude. These are the traits learned as a cadet and living testimony of NMMI’s credo of Duty, Honor and Achievement.
Inducted 14 October 2005
