Tom DiGiorgio

Development, Architect & Designer, Partner & Co-Founder

As co-creator, designer and partner behind Marlow's Tavern, Aqua Blue in Roswell, GA, and Hi Life Kitchen and Cocktails in Norcross, GA, Thomas DiGiorgio, along with John C. Metz Jr., has made a mark in the Atlanta restaurant scene. As a well-respected and award-winning entrepreneur with an impressive 18-year history in real estate and restaurant development, architecture, and large construction oversight, Thomas "Tommy" DiGiorgio, Jr., possesses a true vision that drives success.

Presently, Tommy is Founder, Co-Owner, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of a three-pronged restaurant company with 19 locations, which are continually expanding, where he works closely with senior staff and the Board of Directors to increase sales across the entire organization.

He is charged with spearheading real estate development initiatives, from site selection and architectural design to initial pro forma statements and comprehensive financial analysis. His involvement with the steadily-expanding Marlow's Tavern in the Atlanta market, with projected plans to reach 25 restaurants by 2015 across two additional markets, Sterling Spoon Culinary Management, Inc. is a high-end corporate restaurant management company, providing upscale dining options and cafeterias for giants like Coca-Cola, Avon, and Global Payments Inc. Finally, Aqua blue Restaurant, an institution in fine sea food and sushi dining since 2001 and frequent award-winner, earns recent distinction with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and Wall Street Journal ranking as a top suburban restaurant.

Tommy's keen business sense has resulted in much public recognition over his career thus far, including the Carlson Restaurants World Wide Consultant of the Year in 2002 (recognizing topnotch work with T.G.I. Friday's) and Contractor of the Year in 2001, The South Florida Business Journal's "40 Under 40" Award in 2000, and the Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce's Business Man of the Year in 1999.

He diligently works to ensure that all key stakeholders - inclusive of investors, clients, vendors, and employees - are treated equally and given superior levels of attention. Tommy has an exceptional educational foundation in the principles of finance, which he obtained during five years of concentrated coursework at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He offers his time and energies to several civic and government agencies, including a Board of Directors membership on the Tiger Trail Festival Committee, as Director of the Research for the Cure Cancer Foundation, and as Chairman of the Pompano Beach Economic Development Council.