Peter T. Loftin was born and raised in NC to mother, Maree Nelson Loftin, who was an Elementary school teacher and to father, Robert G. Loftin, a Korean War veteran, who retired from the US Government Social Security Administration. While at the Administration, he negotiated the Union contract for all Social Security Administration employees.
Career
Loftin made his mark in the telecommunications industry after the Bell telephone monopoly break up. In 1983 he founded and led Raleigh, NC based Business Telecom Inc. (BTI) to the successful expansion of the corporation to one of the nation’s top telecommunications companies as well as the largest private employer in the city of Raleigh, NC. Loftin is credited with being the pioneer of the flat rate pricing for long distance offering in the telecommunications industry.
Business North Carolina Magazine named Loftin “North Carolina Entrepreneur of the Year”. In addition, NCEITA, the North Carolina Electronics and Information Technologies Association, awarded him and BTI the “Corporate Citizen of the Year Award” for generously providing free Internet services to the disabled in rural schools throughout North Carolina. He was then publically recognized for his contribution by the then Governor of North Carolina, James B. Hunt. In 1999, independent research group New Paradigm Resources ranked BTI seventh nationally among competitive local exchange carriers with approximately $400 million in annual revenues. During Loftin’s tenure at BTI, he successfully completed a $250 million high yield bond issue as well as the sale of an additional $200 million of BTI stock to a private equity firm. He served as Chairman of the Board of BTI whose board members consisted of such prestigious businessmen as Paul J. Rizzo, former Vice-Chairman of IBM and the former Dean of the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.
He has been significantly involved in the business and community affairs of North Carolina. Mr. Loftin was the largest contributor to the BTI Center for the Performing Arts in 1997, which is the largest performing arts venue between Washington, D.C., and Tampa. Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer and the City Council recognized him as the single largest contributor ever to the city of Raleigh.
Bardstown Bourbon (BBCo)
In 2016, Loftin founded the largest new whiskey distillery in the United States. Bardstown Bourbon is the first-of-its-kind Collaborative Whiskey, Bourbon, and Rye Distilling Program.
Loftin serves as Chairman of the board and was instrumental in the recent Constellation Brands partnership. Constellation Brands, the parent of Corona and a Fortune 500 company with a diversified spirits portfolio, acquired a minority stake in the Bardstown Bourbon Co. in October 2016 and plans to develop new brands and create a long-term supply of authentic Kentucky whiskey, bourbon and rye.
BBCo plans to open its $25 million campus to the public in the spring of 2017. In addition to its distillery, the facility has a visitors and educational center, event space and a whiskey library and bar. Plans also call for a restaurant and hotel to be built on site as well.
BBCo began commercial production in September 2016 and recently announced that it was already preparing to expand its current 1.5 million proof gallon capacity based on the success of the Collaborative Distilling Program. Over time, capacity will be expanded to 6 million proof gallons within the current design. Set on 100 acres of active farmland and adjacent to the Bluegrass Parkway, BBCo’s Napa Valley style destination experience, features a unique and transparent educational experience, high-end tours and tastings, integrated visitors center and event space.
Casa Casuarina
Loftin’s involvement in the arts encouraged his purchase of Casa Casuarina in 2000. After selling a portion of BTI, he devoted some of his proceeds to real estate endeavors, with Casa Casuarina being one of the most opportunistic properties. Loftin saw this as an opportunity to give back to the community by gifting the magical Casa Casuarina venue for more than 30 significant charities. Since owning Casa Casuarina, he retained the services of Ernst and Young to develop a study of the highest and best use of the property. As a result of the study, and the recommendation of Ernst and Young, he has enthusiastically proceeded to include Casa Casuarina as part of the Boutique Hotel and Club business as well as a luxurious trophy residential property.
GlobeSecNine
Loftin was also an original founder of GlobeSecNine which is now known as Torch Hill Investment Partners. Torch Hill provides growth capital to domestic and international companies involved in the defense and intelligence industry.
CM3 Group
Loftin also founded CM3 Group, a counter-terrorism contractor along with Michael Haley (SEAL, Ret.) and Richard Shaffer (FBI, Ret.). Mr. Haley served as a SEAL in various SEAL Teams including the Classified SOCOM Tier One Unit, then upon retirement began employment with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a member of a covert paramilitary maritime unit in support of Global war on Terrorism activities worldwide. Mr. Shaffer directed the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force program for all investigative, intelligence and threat assessment operations in North Carolina including major banks, US Military facilities, nuclear facilities and the high tech industry. CM3 Group is a counter-terrorism security consulting firm with an impressive background and experience. CM3 Group developed and provided counter-terrorism and consultation for the Port of Los Angeles on a multi-year contract working alongside Local, State and Federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Family
Loftin has a wonderful 19 year old son with his former wife, as well as two other young children that currently reside with him.
Charity
Loftin started his own charity when he was in his twenties called “Coats for Kids” which donated winter coats to thousands of needy children during the holiday season. This started his generosity of giving back and since then has served on a number of boards for various charitable non profits. Loftin served on the National Board of Governors of the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. serving with the then Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson and the now retired General Tommy Franks during the fateful 9/11 attacks. He has also served on other prestigious Boards including the American Lung Association, the Board of Visitors of the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC – Chapel Hill, the Advisory Board of the Duke Heart Center at Duke University Medical Center, Founding contributor and Board Member of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science providing children and adults with an unparalleled experience of North Carolina’s natural science, the Board of Directors of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, and the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED). While Loftin was on the CED board, he was the founding contributor of scholarships for entrepreneurial high school students.
Loftin also built a camp for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America named Camp BTI, as well as, a significant contributor to Oak Ranch, a facility for underprivileged and troubled youth. He is also a major contributor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since the year 2000, Loftin has been a generous contributor to the Special Operations Fund (SOF) which is a fund started by businessmen at the direction of Ambassador David C. Miller, Jr. prior to 9/11 to support the families and their children’s college education of our fallen Tier 1 Classified soldiers. He is also a major contributor to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, which provides a unique educational experience on United States history and basic core values through the preservation interpretation and recognition of U.S. Army airborne and special operations history, equipment, technology, legend, art and weaponry as well as providing a memorial for the two Delta operators assigned to task force ranger in Somalia who were awarded posthumously the medal of honor for their valiant efforts depicted in the movie “Black Hawk Down”. Loftin was also a guest speaker at both the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC-Chapel Hill and the MBA Program at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Loftin is currently on the Board of the Miami Beach Police Athletic League and in 2006, was honored with a certificate of appreciation by the City of Miami Beach for his contributions to the city which include his sponsorship of and/or donation of Casa as a venue for many charitable functions such as the American Red Cross, Alonzo Morning Foundation, Miami Book Fair, Miami International Film Festival, Scoliosis Research Society, as well as political fundraisers. The certificate also noted that the re-creation of Casa Casuarina as an exclusive private member club and elite private events venue is setting Casa as the leader of the Miami’s new ultra-elite identity, bringing a new level of sophistication to Miami Beach and attracting the height of international society to the city.
The Busness Journal excerpt:
“I wanted to spread that sense of generosity throughout the company. We’ve always felt the need to give to others that are less fortunate.”
Ranked as: “Top 25 Business People to Watch: New Leaders of the New Century” “Haute Living Prestigious Haute 100”
“North Carolina Entrepreneur of the Year”
Business Wire excerpt:
“The Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo), the largest new whiskey distillery in the United States, announced today that Constellation Brands acquired a minority stake in the company.”
Achievements:
- Started company from back room selling portable telephones.
- Purchased famous Casa Casaurina and transformed into exclusive restaurant and resort.
- Works with his company to help train ports in anti terroism measures
- $250 Million High Yield Bond Issue for Business Telecom Inc (BTI)
- Founded the largest new whiskey distillery in the United States. Bardstown Bourbon is Kentucky’s first new bourbon company in 100 years.
- Been a member of the famed Mar A Lago Club in Palm Beach Florida since 1998
Charity:
- American Red Cross: Board of Governors
- NC Museum of Science
- Camp BTI: Boys and Girls Club of America Camp for Kids
- Oak Ranch Facility for Troubled Teens
- Police Athletic League
In the News:
