Seven Young Tampa Business Leaders Keep City Growing Through Family Traditions

A new wave of young leaders now steers Tampa's most storied family firms. From hand-rolled cigars to waterfront dining, these seven executives under 45 shape the city's business pulse while honoring age-old traditions.

At 44, Drew Newman runs J.C. Newman Cigar Company, America's last standing traditional cigar factory. "Cigars are to Tampa what wine is to Napa Valley and cars are to Detroit," said Newman, according to Tampa Magazine. His Ybor City plant crafts 60,000 cigars daily in the historic district.

Andrea Gonzmart Williams, 45, guides the 1905 Family of Restaurants. Her great-great-grandfather's small Ybor City café grew into the Columbia Restaurant empire. Now, their kitchens serve guests across Florida, mixing old-world recipes with fresh takes on Spanish cuisine.

At just 32, Garrett Greco builds on five generations of Tampa roots through his real estate firm. His work transforms Riverside Heights with smart retail spots. The family name carries weight: his grandfather Dick Greco won the mayor's seat at an unusually young age in 1967.

Two sisters picked different business paths. Gabriella Accardi Wichman, 28, manages property deals at Accardi Real Estate Co. Her sister Gianna Accardi Griffith, 30, struck out on her own, launching The Cabana South swimwear store in 2019.

After her family sold Pepin Distributing in 2021, Tina Pepin, 27, switched gears. She now directs the Pepin Family Foundation, backing local nursing schools and heart health research.

Ice cream artist Maximilian Chillura, 30, studied his craft in Italy before opening Chill Bros. Scoop Shop. His Tampa-inspired flavors mix local tastes like guava and Cuban coffee into creamy treats.

These leaders stay rooted in Tampa and are actively serving in community roles. Williams splits time between running restaurants and serving on boards like the Ybor City Chamber and Florida Aquarium. Newman's factory welcomed 20,000 curious visitors last year.

From century-old cigar rolling to modern ice cream innovation, this group bridges Tampa's rich past with its bright future. They've refreshed their family legacies while keeping the city's unique character intact.