Thomas J. McNamara, a third-generation contractor and grandson of Irish immigrants, has carved a notable path in the construction and fishing industries, guided by conservative values, integrity, leadership, and relentless effort.
In 1994, he founded Southern Development & Construction, Inc. in Oviedo, Florida. Under his leadership, the company has become one of the largest privately held heavy civil contractors in Central Florida, contributing to over 2,000 construction projects across the state, including commercial offices, amusement parks, sports complexes, educational institutions, residential properties, retail establishments, restaurants, public works, and industrial and medical facilities. McNamara holds multiple state licenses, such as Building Contractor, Electrical Contractor, Class 5 Fire Contractor, and Underground Utility Contractor.
In 1999, McNamara expanded his entrepreneurial pursuits by acquiring a small home-based business, which he developed into Foundation Outdoors Group, Inc., a globally recognized entity in the fishing industry. With operations based in Oviedo, Florida, Halmstad, Sweden, and Weihai, China, the company holds over 23 patents and trademarks and has received 17industry awards from China Fish, EFTTEX, and ICAST—the world’s three largest fishing industry trade shows. It is distinguished as the only manufacturer of fishing components to have achieved such accolades under McNamara’s stewardship. He continues to lead as the CEO of this thriving global enterprise.
Beyond his business ventures, Mr. McNamara is deeply committed to philanthropic efforts. His companies and the McNamara Family Foundation support a range of initiatives, including Habitat for Humanity, Coastal Conservation Association, Project Healing Water, Wounded Warriors, Hook Kids on Fishing, Anglers for Conservation, Dig Pink Side-Out Foundation, and Casting for a Cure. He also actively participates in numerous professional organizations, such as the Association of Building Contractors, American Sportfishing Association, Design-Build Institute of America, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Florida Engineering Society, and the Illuminating Engineering Society.
Thomas and his wife Stacey, a fellow University of Central Florida alumna (’90), are fervent supporters of their alma mater. Their commitment to UCF was honored in 2022 when both received the UCF Distinguished Alumni Award. Mr. McNamara also serves on the UCF Athletics Association Board of Directors, the Athletic Director’s Cabinet, and the UCF Foundation Board of Directors on the investment and real estate committees. In 2022, he established The Kingdom NIL, a collective supporting UCF student-athletes. The McNamara family’s philanthropic contributions to UCF include significant donations to the John Euliano Baseball Park, Densch Leadership Center, and Garvy Nutrition Center, culminating in a substantial $1 million gift for McNamara Cove, a cutting-edge recovery water facility for student-athletes.
McNamara earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the College of Engineering & Computer Science at the University of Central Florida in 1988 and later pursued graduate studies in Engineering Project Management. He resides in Chuluota, Florida, with Stacey, his wife of 30 years, and their three daughters, Shannon, Erin (UCF ‘22), and Megan.
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