Thomas DeMattia was born in New York and at an early age worked at his family’s Italian restaurant. Growing up in New York provided countless stories that he loves to share with anyone he meets. In 1955 Tom joined the Army as helicopter gunner proudly serving his country during the Vietnam War. Upon returning , Tom started a produce distribution company in New York. His work ethic and determination soon sky rocketed his success turning him into the primary distributer for SkyChef. In 1972 Tom sold that business and built a new business in South America growing and selling wine grapes. Everything was looking up till El Nino hit and whipped out all the grape crops in the region. The devastation lead many people to go bankrupt, owing creditors millions of dollars, Tom included. Instead of filing bankruptcy, Tom sold everything to his name to pay all his creditors back. Broke and beaten down would have stopped most people, not Tom.