Tom Wilmer reports from the rural village of Augusta, Missouri. It’s less than an hour’s drive to St. Louis but it’s truly a world away.
Jerri and David Hoffmann grew up in Washington, Missouri at a time when David’s family didn’t even have running water in their home.
After graduating from college, Hoffmann’s initial foray as one of the world’s foremost corporate headhunters (DHR International) catapulted his business ventures to include investing in financial services, hospitality, aviation, media marketing and more.
A viral Hoffmann focus is real estate ventures across America. The Hoffmann family grew to become the biggest developer in Naples, Florida—with 42 commercial properties including ownership of the Hertz Arena and the Everblades hockey team.
Fifty years later, the Hoffmanns returned to their roots to reinvigorate Augusta, Missouri (a stones throw from their hometown) with an initial 150 million dollar economic infusion, including renovations of more than 60 historic homes and commercial enterprises along with ownership of four wineries and more than 1,250 acres of vineyard.
We met with David and Jerri Hoffmann at a Fruit of the Harvest Dinner in Augusta.
Come along and join the conversation to discover the rest of the amazing story of the Hoffmann’s passion and love of Augusta and how they are in the midst of turning the destination in to a national wine destination slated to rival Napa Valley.
We’ll also visit with Colin Pennington, the Hoffmanns’ winemaker with Augusta Wine Company.
Followed by Chris Armstrong, managing Partner at the Hoffmann Creative Agency, provides insights about the viral rebirth of Augusta, Missouri.
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