Tom Filippini

Serial entrepreneur focused on travel and private aviation: Filippini co-founded Exclusive Resorts, later created private aviation ventures (StraightLine Private Air, FlightLink) and runs Aviation Innovation Holdings, positioning himself consistently at the intersection of luxury travel operations and technology-enabled aviation services. flystraightline+2

Inventor and consumer-product founder: He conceived and commercialized Pepper Pong—a patented, portable paddle sport product—leading product design, ruleset, and commercialization efforts that emphasized accessibility and portability. pepperpong+2

Uses personal recovery experience to inform mission: Filippini is openly sober since 2016 and intentionally frames Pepper Pong as a tool to foster connection and help people in recovery, donating sets to treatment centers and sharing his story publicly to inspire others. journey-magazine+2

Validated founder with media and investor traction: Pepper Pong appeared on Shark Tank and secured investment and subsequent distribution and sales momentum, reflecting Filippini's ability to attract strategic partners and national attention for consumer products. bizjournals+2