Early Life
Thomas Dan Friedkin was born in San Diego, California, on February 27, 1965. He is the son of Thomas H. Friedkin, the founder of Gulf States Toyota Distributors, and the grandson of Kenny Friedkin, founder of Pacific Southwest Airlines. He graduated from Georgetown University with a bachelor's degree and later earned a master's degree from Rice University.
Rise to Success
Friedkin's career took off in 1995 when he became the CEO of The Friedkin Group, which includes Gulf States Toyota. Gulf States Toyota, founded by his father in 1969, became one of the largest private auto distributors. In 2013, Friedkin became chairman of Auberge Resorts Collection, a luxury hospitality management firm. He expanded his business ventures into entertainment by co-founding 30WEST in 2017 and acquiring majority ownership in NEON, a theatrical marketing and distribution company, in 2018.
Key Business Strategies
A key strategy for Friedkin has been diversification. He has expanded from automotive to include hospitality, entertainment, and sports. He has been involved in strategic acquisitions, such as AS Roma in 2020 and Everton FC in December 2024. Friedkin's focus on customer loyalty, as well as his involvement in all facets of the business, have driven his companies to success.
Philanthropy
Friedkin is actively involved in philanthropic and conservation efforts. He is the founder and chairman of the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation. He is involved in conservation efforts through the Friedkin Conservation Fund, which works to protect endangered wildlife areas.