Track Record
Born on March 20, 1957, in Drums, PA, Thom Greco was raised in a farming community outside of Hazleton, the son of Dr. & Mrs. Victor F. Greco. His father, Dr. Victor Greco, was involved in the development of the heart-lung machine and took part in the first-ever open-heart surgery at Jefferson Medical School.
Education:
Career Highlights:
- Started in the business at age 17 (1976) by running under 21 dance clubs in Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, and Hazleton.
- Created and hosted a television show, the “Thom Greco Show,” on ABC WNEP TV 16 in 1980.
- Attended law school and later returned to Pennsylvania to continue in various business ventures.
- Developed real estate from the age of 23.
- Established and operated multiple successful dance clubs and nightlife venues, including Market Street Square, Martini Ristorante & Bar, The Factory, and The Vox Box.
- Launched successful promotions companies; including Rittenhouse Entertainment.
- Promoted artists including Wayne Newton, Tony Bennett, Paul Anka and Aerosmith among a few, in area venues as well as owning and operating two amphitheaters – Bud Light Amphitheatre at Harvey’s Lake and Montage Performing Arts Center in Scranton, PA.
- Organized concert promotions and major events such as the annual PA Polkafest, and The Buoys Reunion Show.
- Involved in movie development and production. Serves as President and CEO of Wilkes-Barre Metro Film Office.
- Partnered to build the Hampton Inn Hotel in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
- Operated the Playboy Steakhouse and later converted it to Market Street Square, a multi-venue nightclub and restaurant in downtown Wilkes-Barre, PA.
- Coined the concept of “Socialized Dining” and toured, consulted, and gave seminars at restaurant and nightclub trade shows.
- Built Martini Ristorante & Bar, known for the Marilyn Monroe Martini, in Downtown Wilkes-Barre.
- Involved on a national level from the age of 28, serving as an advisory board member and later Chairman of the Advisory Board for Nightclub & Bar Media Group.
- Chairman of the executive committee for the Nightclub and Bar convention in Atlantic City in 2006.
- Currently operates various ventures, including HEAT Nightclub and Bar, Oyster Weddings, The Mines, CovidSafe(TM) Training and actively engages in consulting for the hospitality industry.
- CEO and Chairperson of Wilkes-Barre Metropolitan Development Corporation – a leading community and economic development non-profit.
- Wilkes Barre Metro is focused on preserving historic infrastructure and promoting the history of Planter’s Peanuts in Wilkes-Barre, PA, as well as advancing technology and economic development opportunities in Northeast, PA.
Notable Achievements:
- Recognized nationally for creating trends and expertise in the industry, appointed to the Advisory Board for Nightclub & Bar Magazine, and a contributing writer for Oxford Publishing.
- Developed case law in court cases regarding the operations of various licensed properties.
- Former Chairman of the Advisory Board of Nightclub and Bar, President of the National Restaurant Association, and Chairman of the Nightclub Safety Committee.
- Keynote speaker and moderator for panels at the Nightclub & Bar media group’s annual national convention in Las Vegas.