Classic Honoree – Hoops4Sportsmanship

Neil Keifer

CEO, Hooters Management Corporation
Board Member, Positive Coaching Alliance, Tampa Bay

Neil is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia and earned letters in both basketball and baseball all four years.

After coaching high school at Shorecrest Preparatory School from 1973-76 in St. Petersburg, Florida, he then received his Law Degree from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1979.

Neil has served as Chief Executive Officer of HMC Hospitality Group Inc., Hooter’s, Inc. and all its affiliated companies since 1992.

Neil has also served the community over his professional career in the Tampa Bay Area. Neil served from 1990-2013 as a voluntary assistant varsity boy’s basketball coach at Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport, Florida Previously, Neil has served as a board member for the Pinellas County Urban League, the Pinellas County Police Athletic League, Tampa Bay Sports Commission and the Pinellas County Educational Foundation.

Neil was recently quoted at the Hooters 40th anniversary celebration, “We are proud to give back to the wonderful communities that have welcomed us for decades….we have raised and donated millions, starting from our first week in business.” Neil was the original sponsor of the Tampa Bay Sportsmanship Classic, and he has been with us ever since. Neil is married to his wife, Selina “CeCe” Kiefer and has two adult sons – Byron and David, and two adult step-children Tyler and Katy.