Tilman J. Fertitta
Encyclopedia
Tilman Joseph Fertitta is an American businessman and the founder, chairman of the board, President, CEO and primary shareholder of Landry's Restaurants
. He is also a member of the board of regents of the University of Houston System
.
, where his family had settled generations after emigrating to Louisiana
and Texas
from Sicily
.
Fertitta attended Texas Tech University
and the University of Houston
where he studied business administration and hospitality management. He showed an entrepreneurial streak even in college when he started his own firm focused on marketing and sales and, after college, development and construction. From there, Fertitta began building homes while selling Shaklee vitamins on the side. He moved full-time into foodservice in 1986 working as a real estate specialist for Landry's. It was only a few short months before he bought the chain.
After some early troubles, Fertitta expanded the chain to include nearly a dozen restaurant chains and individual entities. He is a minor partner in the Houston Texans
NFL franchise and owns Houston's Bentley
and Rolls Royce
dealership, Post Oak Motor Cars, Ltd.
A man about town in Houston, where Landry's is based, Fertitta is involved in a number of philanthropic and civic endeavors. In 2008, he was named the chairperson of the Houston Police Department
's police foundation which pays for equipment and gear for police officers.
Fertitta was appointed to the Board of Regents of the University of Houston System
in 2009 by Texas Governor Rick Perry and will serve through August 31, 2015.
and Rosario Maceo
who rose from humble beginnings to become prominent in Galveston's notorious nightlife scene in the mid-1900s before branching out to Las Vegas, Nevada
. His cousins are Station Casinos
owners Frank Fertitta III
and Lorenzo Fertitta
. Tilman Fertitta recently joined the ranks of casino owners himself when Landry's purchased the historic Golden Nugget
in downtown Las Vegas as well as the location in Laughlin, Nevada
. He has two brothers Victor Fertitta and Todd Fertitta. Both work for Landry's.
Fertitta lives in the River Oaks area of Houston along with his wife, Paige, and their children: Michael, Patrick, Blayne, and Blake.
Landry's Restaurants
-External links:*...
. He is also a member of the board of regents of the University of Houston System
University of Houston System
The University of Houston System is a state university system in Texas, encompassing four separate and distinct universities. It has two system centers, which operate as and distance learning course delivery sites for its universities...
.
Biography
Fertitta was born and raised in Galveston, TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, where his family had settled generations after emigrating to Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
from Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
.
Fertitta attended Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University, often referred to as Texas Tech or TTU, is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923, and originally known as Texas Technological College, it is the leading institution of the Texas Tech University System and has the...
and the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
where he studied business administration and hospitality management. He showed an entrepreneurial streak even in college when he started his own firm focused on marketing and sales and, after college, development and construction. From there, Fertitta began building homes while selling Shaklee vitamins on the side. He moved full-time into foodservice in 1986 working as a real estate specialist for Landry's. It was only a few short months before he bought the chain.
After some early troubles, Fertitta expanded the chain to include nearly a dozen restaurant chains and individual entities. He is a minor partner in the Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
NFL franchise and owns Houston's Bentley
Bentley
Bentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just "W O". Bentley had been previously known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later...
and Rolls Royce
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a British manufacturer of luxury automobiles based at the Goodwood plant in West Sussex, England. It is the current producer of Rolls-Royce branded automobiles, whose historical production dates back to 1904. The factory is located across from the historic Goodwood Circuit...
dealership, Post Oak Motor Cars, Ltd.
A man about town in Houston, where Landry's is based, Fertitta is involved in a number of philanthropic and civic endeavors. In 2008, he was named the chairperson of the Houston Police Department
Houston Police Department
The Houston Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency serving the City of Houston, Texas, United States and some surrounding areas. Its headquarters are in 1200 Travis in Downtown Houston....
's police foundation which pays for equipment and gear for police officers.
Fertitta was appointed to the Board of Regents of the University of Houston System
University of Houston System
The University of Houston System is a state university system in Texas, encompassing four separate and distinct universities. It has two system centers, which operate as and distance learning course delivery sites for its universities...
in 2009 by Texas Governor Rick Perry and will serve through August 31, 2015.
Family
His family includes SamSam Maceo
Salvatore Maceo, also known as Sam Maceo, was a businessman, community leader, and organized crime boss in Galveston, Texas in the United States. Because of his efforts, Galveston Island became a nationally known resort town during the early and mid 20th century, a period known as Galveston's Open...
and Rosario Maceo
Rosario Maceo
Rosario Maceo , also known as Papa Rose or Rose Maceo, was a Sicilian immigrant and organized crime boss in Galveston, Texas in the United States. Because of his efforts and those of his brother Sam, Galveston Island became a nationally known resort town during the early and mid 20th century,...
who rose from humble beginnings to become prominent in Galveston's notorious nightlife scene in the mid-1900s before branching out to Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. His cousins are Station Casinos
Station Casinos
Station Casinos Inc. is a gaming company based in the Las Vegas suburb of Summerlin, Nevada, founded by Frank Fertitta Jr.Station Casinos along with Boyd Gaming, Cannery Casino Resorts, American Casino & Entertainment Properties, and Herbst Gaming, dominate the Locals market in Las Vegas.The...
owners Frank Fertitta III
Frank Fertitta III
Frank J. Fertitta III is current CEO of Station Casinos. He is also an owner of Zuffa LLC, which is the entity that runs the Ultimate Fighting Championship . Fertitta resides in Las Vegas with his wife Jill and three children.-Education:...
and Lorenzo Fertitta
Lorenzo Fertitta
Lorenzo Joseph Fertitta is an American businessman, casino executive, sports promoter and entrepreneur. Fertitta resides in Las Vegas with his wife Teresa and three children.- Education :...
. Tilman Fertitta recently joined the ranks of casino owners himself when Landry's purchased the historic Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget has several uses including:Casinos:*Golden Nugget Atlantic City in Atlantic City, New Jersey**"Golden Nugget" was also the original name of the ACH Casino Resort from 1980 to 1987*Golden Nugget Laughlin in Laughlin, Nevada...
in downtown Las Vegas as well as the location in Laughlin, Nevada
Laughlin, Nevada
Laughlin is a census-designated place in Clark County, Nevada, United States, and a port located on the Colorado River. Laughlin is south of Las Vegas, located in the far southern tip of Nevada. It is best known for its gaming, entertainment, and water recreation. As of the 2010 census, the...
. He has two brothers Victor Fertitta and Todd Fertitta. Both work for Landry's.
Fertitta lives in the River Oaks area of Houston along with his wife, Paige, and their children: Michael, Patrick, Blayne, and Blake.