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Copyright American City Business Journals Apr 28, 2000

THOMAS BANTA

Executive Vice President Five Seasons Country Clubs

Age: 37

Tom Banta is on the cell phone on the way to Columbus where he will make a zoning presentation pitching a Five Seasons Country Club.

It's the way Banta spends most evenings now, criss-crossing the state and country. Just last week he was in Washington, D.C. Over the weekend, it was New York.

"It's a lot of traveling," Banta said.

That's because Banta faces, admittedly, the biggest challenge of his professional fife. Banta is leading the ambitious charge to develop and open 30 Five Seasons Country Clubs within five years.

Actually, Banta only has four years to go, but the scorecard is in his favor.

Five Seasons, a subsidiary of Cincinnati developer Corporex Cos. Inc., already has clubs in Indianapolis, Crestview Hills, Cleveland and Dayton. Three more are under construction and, according to Banta, there are six different sites in various stages of approval.

As Corporex executive vice president, Banta has been instrumental in not only developing and selling the sports country club concept to cities across the United States, but has been a crucial part of the development of other Corporex properties, such as RiverCenter and CirclePort in Northern Kentucky, and various hotels and office buildings in other U.S. cities.

Prior to joining Corporex, Banta worked for Three-Way Construction in Indianapolis. A graduate of Indiana University, Banta earned a dual degree in finance and real estate administration.

Banta admits the most challenging part of his work is the expansiveness of a project.

"You're really building a business from scratch," Banta said. "Every time you open one, there are 120 employees to hire, permits and licensing, actually building the site and then you must build a membership. It's a lot more than just picking and getting approval for a site."

What Banta looks forward to are those celebratory moments.

"I hope to go to a lot of black-tie galas," he said. "I've got 23 more to go."

Banta also thrives in another kind of building from scratch through his volunteer efforts with Habitat for Humanity.

"We've put together a group to frame several of the houses they get together every year," Banta said.

He also takes the office to the Habitat construction sites.

"It's kind of fun to see the desk guys try to pound nails," Banta said.