Thomas Joseph Shannon, Jr.

Tom Shannon was born in 1943 in Somerville, Massachusetts, but he spent most of his childhood living in project housing in nearby Charlestown. Both of his parents came from large, close-knit Irish and Italian families. Shannon's father, who dropped out of high school to help his family, worked three jobs: delivering papers, operating an elevator in the customs house, and ushering at the local movie theater. Shannon says his father was the hardest working, most honest person he has ever known. Although there was never enough money, the Shannons enjoyed close family ties. On Sundays, they gathered with up to 40 aunts and uncles and nearly 100 cousins for dinner.

Getting to and from school was always a problem; older boys often beat up anyone who was younger and not from their block. To avoid a fight, Shannon learned to run as fast as he could on his way home from school. Once he reached his street, he was safe because the older boys in his neighborhood watched over him. When Shannon's younger sister started school, her protection in those unstable conditions became his responsibility.

In 1953, Shannon's father was forced to transfer to Miami in order to keep his job with U.S. Customs. Therefore, the family moved to Miami and lived in a rented duplex. Shannon, already showing signs of being a gifted athlete, joined Little League. He also began to deliver papers and mow lawns to help with expenses. He continued playing baseball and football in high school, where his skills as a quarterback earned him a scholarship to the University of Florida in Gainesville. He double-majored in marketing and management, earning a degree in 1966. Shannon, named Most Valuable Player in the 1962 Gator Bowl, was later inducted into the UF Hall of Fame in both football and baseball. Shannon received offers to play professionally in both sports, but he opted to stay in Gainesville so that his wife, Kathy, could finish her college education.

While his wife went to school, Shannon worked as a sales representative for Herff Jones, a collegiate jewelry manufacturer. After her graduation, Shannon played football for a short time with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian League. An injury ended his ability to play professionally, however, and he returned to Florida.

Shannon became an administrative assistant at Watson & Company, an engineering and architectural firm. While there, he learned market analysis and economic feasibility. A client, Sun State Builders, hired him as project manager and soon promoted him to vice president in charge of West Coast operations. In 1976, he formed Village Development Company and worked as a real estate developer until 1993. He then established T-Bird Restaurant Group, Inc. In 2002, the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation selected Shannon as Restaurateur of the Year. He is also a seven-time recipient of the National Franchisee of the Year award.

The National Football Foundation Hall of Fame gave Shannon its Distinguished Citizen Award. He has also received the Spirit of Life Award from the City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute. And in 2007, as a "Stars of the South" honoree, Shannon was named one of the top 100 Irish-American business leaders.