2026 January - Jeff O'Hara

For more information about the FSU PC Entrepreneurship Program: https://pc.fsu.edu/entrepreneurshipBrian Baber interviews Jeff O'Hara.Jeff began his hospitality career in 1985, working part-time while a student at Florida State University. His career has taken him to every corner of the hospitality industry – he has worked in luxury boutique hotels and 1,000 room “supertankers.” He has managed small restaurants and developed B&B’s. As a business owner, he founded or co-founded 11 businesses in hospitality, tech and real estate.Jeff moved to New Orleans in 1992, for what he laughingly describes as “a 2 year assignment” while he was with Sheraton Hotels, and stayed for 30 years. Along the way he navigated the post-911 industry crash, Hurricane Katrina, the Global Financial Crisis and Covid, all of which were devastating to the hospitality industry. Turning these setbacks into opportunities, his company was named three times to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America and three times to the Seminole 100 list of Fastest Growing Companies owned by Florida State University alumni. His latest successful exit in 2023 led to his transition to focusing on investing full time, most notably in the area of early stage companies.Jeff serves as a Strategic Advisor to several of his portfolio companies, on Boards of investing groups and as a mentor to numerous entrepreneurs. His investments include firms in the fields of hospitality, technology, biotech, consumer staples, medical devices and alternative energy.A native of Kingston, NY, he received a BS in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University and an MBA from Tulane University.