Thomas D. O'Rourke

Chief Executive Officer

Tom began his career in the securities business in 1984 at 19 years of age. In March of 1995, at 30 years of age, Tom co-founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of a NASD member broker-dealer based in Manhattan titled The Thornwater Company, L.P. Thornwater specialized in micro-cap financing. In December 1995, he effected a private placement at .25 per share for Pride Automotive Group, UK and in April 1996 co-underwrote the IPO on the NASDAQ SC of Pride Automotive Group, UK at $5 per share. In January 1996, Tom purchased the majority interest in Thornwater. In July 1996 he effected a private placement at .80 per share for Room Plus Furniture, Inc. and in November 1996 lead underwrote the IPO on the NASDAQ SC of Room Plus Furniture, Inc., at $5 per share, raising $6.5mm. Again as lead underwriter, he effected the IPO on the NASDAQ SC of Harvey Electronics, Inc., at $5 per share raising $6.3mm in April 1998. In January 1999, Tom sold his interest in the broker dealer he co-founded and left the securities business in "good standing".

In May 1999 Tom founded Tortoise Group, LLC, specializing in corporate finance and strategy. In June 1999, as sole member of Tortoise, Tom in a transaction he initiated with the company directly, acquired 14% of privately held DME Interactive Holdings, Inc., investing $100,000 at a $700,000 post money valuation; he then negotiated the reverse merger of DME resulting in a $54mm public market valuation. During the post public period, Tom conceived and structured a strategic partnership between DME and America Online, Inc., this partnership was announced in February 2000 at which time the company achieved a $324mm public market valuation. Tom received a partial (per Rule 144) exit for his shares at a $200mm valuation in 1999.

In June 2002 Tom founded Trump Music, Inc. a company specializing in the finance of intellectual property; producers, songwriters and artists in the recording industry. In December 2008 he sold his interest in Trump Music.

Tom is 44 years of age, married and has 3 children.