Born on September 27, 1953, somewhere in the mountains of Colorado, Tom Wood first came to New Orleans at the ripe old age of seventeen. His entrepreneurial spirit soon kicked in when he became a partner in a historic and notorious bar: CAFE LAFITTE IN EXILE. With an eye for quality and the desire to establish a strong local following, Tom set out improving and developing CAFE LAFITTE into the most well known gay bar in the country. He was able to do this by giving people a good drink at a fair price in an environment where they felt welcome and comfortable.

Always looking for more challenges, in 1979 Tom opened the GREAT AMERICAN REFUGE. Originally a Country Western Bar, the REFUGE became the first upscale gentleman's club for the local gay community.

After several years of growing these companies, 1984 was a very busy year for Tom. In this one year period he revived another Bourbon Street landmark, THE CLOVER GRILL, and THE RAWHIDE. Now famous for it's burgers cooked under a vintage hubcap, THE CLOVER GRILL is an eclectic blend of New Orleans characters and wide-eyed tourists. THE RAWHIDE has become the most popular late night club in the Quarter. Both these businesses carried on with what became known as the "Wood Way": treating everyone as if they were an old friend.

After the sale of the REFUGE in 1988, Tom tackled an eyesore at the corner of St. Ann and Dauphine Streets, and turned it into GOOD FRIENDS BAR. Now the starting point of the Barkus parade, GOOD FRIENDS BAR is a comfortable and accommodating watering hole for many New Orleanians and is the most upscale club in town. It was also here in 1992 that the idea of the MYSTIC KREWE OF BARKUS was born.

Always looking for new and interesting ideas, Tom, the eminent dog lover, realized that Mardi Gras was overlooking our four legged friends. Knowing that it is unsafe for pets at many of our parades, Tom thought that the dogs should have a parade to call their own. Now a major event and sponsor of local humane societies, the BARKUS Parade is Tom's proudest achievement.

The most recent business created in 1992, POPPY'S GRILL carried the tradition of the CLOVER GRILL to the center of the French Quarter. Located on St. Peter Street across from Pat O'Briens, POPPY'S GRILL has brought "Fifties" style dining back in vogue.

Believing that you should support the community where ever possible, Tom is a member of several organizations. A past board member of the FQBA, Tom is also on the advisory committee of PLAYGROUND ALL AROUND. Through WOOD ENTERPRISES, Tom is a major sponsor of most fund raising events held in the Quarter today. An annual sponsor of LAZ FEST, PFLAG and the NEW ORLEANS ALLIANCE OF PRIDE, his diverse interests also include sponsorships of the HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN and ART AGAINST AIDS.