Tim Gannon | |
|---|---|
 Polo enthusiast and business man Tim Gannon | |
| Born | John Timothy Gannon United States |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-founder Outback Steakhouse restaurant chain and others |
Tim Gannon is an American businessman and polo player.
Tim Gannon graduated from Florida State University, with a degree in Art History. [1]
Gannon started his career at the Four Seasons Hotel, Steak & Ale and Al Copeland's Cajun Cafe in New Orleans. [1] [2] From 1984 to 1987, he served as Vice President and Director of Development of Al Copeland Enterprises. [3] In 1988, he co-founded Outback Steakhouse. [1] [2] In 2006, he created OSI Restaurant Partners, which operates Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Roy's Restaurant and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. [1] [2] He sits on the Advisory Board of Thayer Ventures. [1] [2]
In 1994, Inc. named him Entrepreneur of the Year. [1] [2] He is the recipient of the Florida Restaurant Association's Lifetime Achievement Award and an honorary doctorate from Johnson & Wales University. [1] [2] He was inducted in the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame. [1] [2]
Gannon sponsors the Outback Polo Team. [4] He has won three U.S. Open Polo Championship, in 1995 (with Julio Arellano, Sebastian Merlos and Guillermo Gracida, Jr.), 1996 (with Valerio Aguilar, Mike Azzaro, Jeff Blake and Guillermo Gracida, Jr.) and 1999 (with Jeff Blake, Adolfo Cambiaso and Lolo Castagnola). [5] [6] [7] In 2013, he was inducted into the Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame in Lake Worth, Florida. [6]
His son, Chris Gannon, is also a polo player. In recent year,[ when? ] his son opened a chain of fast-casual dining restaurants across Florida that feature gluten-free and vegan options named Bolay. [8] [9] [10] [11] His Outback Polo Team, whose other players include Adolfo Cambiaso, Fabio Diniz, Santiago Chavanne, won the U.S. Open Polo Championship in 2001. [7] [10] [11]
Outback Steakhouse is an American chain of Australian-themed casual dining restaurants, serving American cuisine, based in Tampa, Florida. The chain has over 1,000 locations in 23 countries throughout North and South America, Asia, and Australia. It was founded in March 1988 with its first location in Tampa by Bob Basham, Chris T. Sullivan, Trudy Cooper, and Tim Gannon. It was owned and operated in the United States by OSI Restaurant Partners until it was acquired by Bloomin' Brands, and by other franchise and venture agreements internationally.
Bloomin' Brands, Inc. is a restaurant holding company that owns several American casual dining restaurant chains. The company was established in 1988 in Tampa, Florida, where it is headquartered.
A polo handicap is a system created by Henry Lloyd Herbert, the first president of the United States Polo Association, at the founding of the USPA in 1890 so teams could be more evenly matched when using players with varying abilities.
Chris T. Sullivan is one of the founders of Outback Steakhouse and OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC. He also formerly held the titles of director and chairman. He is currently a board member at Bloomin' Brands.
Mariano Aguerre, is a professional polo player in Argentina and the United States. He achieved a 10-goal handicap in the United States in 1994 and in Argentina in 1998. He is currently rated at 9 goals in both countries. He is a nine-time winner of the Argentine Open at Palermo, winning with three different teams: Ellerstina, Chapa I and La Dolfina. The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame announced that Mariano was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
Mike Azzaro is an American professional polo player from San Antonio, Texas. Azzaro's current handicap is 6 goals, but he held the sport's highest handicap of 10 goals for over ten years. Azzaro was awarded Polo Magazine's Polo Excellence Award for Young Player of the Year in 1987 and 1990, and the award for Player of the Year in 1994. Known for his aggressive forward style of play, he has always been a crowd favorite. Playing with five-time Player of the Year winner Memo Gracida, they formed one of the most powerful duos in polo. Azzaro and Gracida both reside in Wellington, Florida.
Guillermo "Memo" Gracida Jr. is a Mexican polo player whose international career includes several record-setting achievements, including the most U.S. Open victories (16) and the most consecutive years as an American 10-goaler (21). These feats and dozens of major tournament wins led to Gracida's selection as Player of the Centennial Era in 1990 and his induction into the National Polo Hall of Fame in 1997 while still an active player.
The Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization to celebrate the sport of polo.
Orrin H. Ingram II is an American heir, businessman, philanthropist and polo player. He is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Ingram Industries and the chairman of Ingram Barge Company.
Philip L. B. Iglehart was a Chilean polo player.
George Carter Sherman Jr. was an American polo player.
The Beaufort Polo Club is a polo club in Gloucestershire, England.
John H. H. Phipps was an American heir, businessman, plantation owner, conservationist and polo player. He owned radio and television stations in Florida and Georgia.
Stephen Sanford was an American polo champion and owner of Thoroughbred racing horses.
The Aiken Polo Club is a polo club in Aiken, South Carolina.
James P. Mills (1909–1987) was an American investment banker, throughbred owner, polo player and philanthropist.
Gillian Johnston is an American polo player and patron.
John S. Gobin is an American six-goal polo player.
Tommy Biddle is an American polo player. He is an eight-goaler in outdoor polo and a ten-goaler in arena polo. He has won many national and international tournaments.