[1] Vitello was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but his family left when he was 9 to escape the political terror of the Revolución Libertadora.
[3] Vitello and business partner Eric Swenson along with Richard Novak and Jay Shuirman who owned Santa Cruz Skateboards saw an opportunity to work together, subsequently founding Independent Truck Company.
Independent Trucks quickly became an industry leader and the group saw the opportunity to expand and capitalize upon the rediscovery of skateboarding in America.
[7] While many were still dismissing skateboarding as a fad, Thrasher helped establish it as a dominant subculture that has evolved into the billion dollar industry it is today.
[5][3] After Vitello's death, his wife Gwynn became president of High Speed Productions, Sally his daughter handles marketing and sales, while Tony his son holds Thrasher Magazine.