Name Blake Thompson | ||
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Education Stetson University College of Law | ||
Blake Whitney Thompson is a developer, lawyer, financier, and egotist.
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Biography
Mr. Thompson is a Cum Laude graduate of both The Florida State University’s College of Social Sciences (B.S., 2001) and its College of Arts and Sciences (M.A., 2002). Also, Thompson holds a Juris Doctor from The Stetson College of Law, and is licensed by The Florida Bar.
Real Estate
As the Managing Director for Black Orchid Equity, LLC, he deploys capital into distressed note and real estate purchases. Black Orchid Equity’s boutique private equity shop invests in lower-middle-market businesses ($20–50M revenue), with an emphasis in light manufacturing and distribution. Under varying structures and with a host of different ownership configurations, Thompson’s focus has been on creating value and contra-cyclical investing.
In 2007, Thompson began preparing for the real estate downturn and is now known as "Real Estate's Grim Reaper." The Wall Street Journal noted Blake Whitney Thompson's premature attempts at bargain basement shopping in an article about his attempts to buy single family home lots from distressed home builders.
In late 2008 a Tampa Bay local news network reported that Thompson, along with The Cypress Company had gathered a substantial group of high-net-worth investors in order to swiftly make investments into distressed opportunities. According to the report, they were "succeeding with a smile in a such a difficult market."
In July 2010, The Daytona Beach News-Journal featured an article about Thompson's potential involvement in the local hospitality business through the pursuit of a new beach-front restaurant/bar and hotel development.
Thompson acquired Moteng NA, LLC – in 2011 and has also started a hospitality company based in Florida with locations in St. Petersburg, Orlando and San Diego.
In 2013, eight newspapers reported that Blake's fund purchased one of the largest residential portfolios in the South. Further, Thompson and his affiliates have been listed as a seed investors in numerous technology start-ups.
Thompson is a former City of St. Petersburg Mayoral Appointee to the Board of Adjustments, and is a recipient of the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 30 Under 30 Award.