Meet Our Board
Originally from New Jersey, Jeff relocated to Florida when he was just 3 years old. Soccer was his life for over 15 years before he attended Florida State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies. From there, Jeff went on to earn his Master of Arts from the Burt Reynolds Institute for Theatre Training.
Jeff took his talents to the Big Apple in 1991, with the dream of becoming a successful actor. Like most aspiring actors, Jeff entered the restaurant industry, where he was groomed and cultured by some of the best restauranteurs in New York City, including the Lanza family.
Jeff knew that his hometown was prime for new restaurant ideas, so he partnered with James Lanza to bring one of their successful concepts to Tampa. In 1996 he opened Ciccio and Tony’s in the SoHo District. The restaurant thrived, and Jeff and his associates at Ciccio Restaurant Group are now some of the Industry’s leaders in the Tampa Bay Area.
Knowing that part of their restaurant’s success was due to the growing community, Jeff formed SoHo Business Alliance with over 30 restaurants, bars, hotels and shops. This new alliance coordinates improvements and expansion in the area, which supports every business. Jeff also helped establish the SoHo Business Watch Program to combat thefts and crime in the growing area.
Jeff believes that the secret to living is giving back. He has or is currently serving as a member of several charitable and community organizations including Glaziers Children’s Museum, CEO Council of Tampa Bay, and Advent Health Carrollwood. He is also a supporter of the Children’s Cancer Center, The Children’s Home, the Lymphoma/Leukemia Society and the American Cancer Society.
In his free time, Jeff enjoys fishing, traveling, speaking to students about the inspiration and drive it takes to succeed in business. He recently started his newest venture Grand Theming Studios, a 8000 Sq Ft full 3 D Theming Fabrication Studio with childhood friend and world renown artist Jason Hulfish where they create amazing experiential 3D themed areas for corporations, churches and Healthcare. He is married to the love of his life, Erica, and he has two amazing children, Ciro and Isabel.
After earning his master’s in civil engineering degree from the University of Miami in 2014, Wyatt pivoted to the world of real estate finance before moving back to Tampa in 2016. Soon thereafter, Wyatt became involved with the Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay program where he served as Co-Chair of the Catalyst committee in 2018 and Chair of the Catalyst committee for 2019. Wyatt also sits on the board of the Society of Real Estate Professionals (SOREP) and serves on the Young Professionals’ Council for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Wyatt has a passion for understanding and helping facilitate the sustainable development of the Tampa community. He enjoys connecting diverse groups of people in order to further ideas and enhance the built environment in which we call home. In his free time, Wyatt enjoys surf trips, attending cars and coffee meetups, and DJ’ing the occasional house party.