Our history begins with Art and Polly Pepin.
Burlington Vermont 1953, Art Pepin loaded his station wagon with Schlitz and Blatz Beer, the #1 selling beer in the United States, and headed off on another day of sales in Vermont. Known all around town for his products, Art was also known for having the biggest smile on the block. Only four years later, he was selling Anheuser Busch products in Manchester. He then purchased the Gainsville territory in 1961.
By 1967, Busch rewarded Art for his hard work by awarding him the distributorship in Tampa Bay, where the real story begins. Art Pepin peaked at about 4 million cases in just a few years. His son, Tom Pepin, purchased the family business in 1981 and brought Pepin Distributing to new heights. Pepin Distributing was thriving, selling over 10MM cases and 67% of the market share. Business was good for the Pepin Family over the years, and the Pepin Family, in turn, has been good to the Tampa Bay Community.
A Matter of the Heart
In 1986, Art began feeling some pain in his chest. The family was shocked to learn that this man, whose heart was always so full of love, had a heart that was breaking. Doctors told him he was too old for a heart transplant….until the day he did not take no for an answer.
While actively having a cardiovascular attack, he slowly walked into St. Lukes hospital, beating his chest while singing the marine core hymn, and fell to the floor. The doctors had to take him. That heart lasted him for 14 years, and he sure did a lot of good with the years it gave him.
After receiving his new heart, Art Pep gratefully returned to Tampa and focused their substantial philanthropic interests on making the most advanced heart health care available in his community. Art and Tom Pepin started their living legacy by making a matching $500,000 pledge, totaling $1 million. This pledge helped the University Community Hospital Foundation create the momentum needed to open the Pepin Heart and Vascular Institute in 2006.
Today, the Pepin Heart Institute at AdventHealth Tampa(opens in new tab) is recognized as one of the region’s leading cardiovascular centers, providing advanced cardiac care through innovative technology, nationally recognized physicians, and a commitment to clinical excellence. Since its founding, the institute has cared for thousands of patients each year and has earned numerous distinctions for quality outcomes and patient care. Through continued investment in innovation, research, and compassionate treatment, the Pepin Heart Institute remains dedicated to improving heart health and enhancing lives throughout our community.
The Pepin family is very active and understands the benefits of playing a sport regarding commitment and good health. In 2002, Arthur and Polly Pepin donated to replace the 80-year-old stadium called “Pepin/Rood Stadium” at The University of Tampa. Now known as one of the finest college facilities in the country, Pepin Stadium(opens in new tab) is a 1,500-seat partially covered grandstand that has hosted five NCAA National Championships and much more.
Foundation Origins
The Pepin family's commitment to giving back began long before the creation of the Pepin Family Foundation. Beginning in the 1980s and still to this day, philanthropy was woven into the fabric of the family's values and business practices. While leading Pepin Distributing Company, Tom Pepin believed success carried a responsibility to serve others. Whether supporting hurricane relief efforts, building meaningful community partnerships, or ensuring drivers were trained to recognize and report human trafficking, he consistently sought opportunities to make a positive impact on the community that had given so much to his family.
In 2004, these efforts were formally established through the creation of the Pepin Family Foundation, providing a platform to expand the family's mission of service and community investment.
Tom's vision extended beyond traditional philanthropy. Recognizing a need for accessible event space for nonprofit organizations, he founded the T. Pepin's Hospitality Centre in 2006. More than a venue, it was designed as a gathering place where community, culture, and charitable causes could come together. His goal was simple: help organizations maximize their impact by providing an affordable space where they could raise awareness, generate support, and further their missions.
Education has always been one of the cornerstones of the Pepin family's legacy. The family believes that investing in education strengthens communities and creates opportunities for future generations. This commitment took shape in 1999 with the founding of Pepin Academies, created to serve students with learning and learning-related disabilities. What began with a graduating class of just 13 students has grown into a thriving network serving more than 1,200 students across Hillsborough County, Riverview, and New Port Richey.
Over time, the family's dedication to education has expanded far beyond the classroom. Through partnerships that support nursing education, first responder mental health and resiliency training, workforce development, and community learning initiatives, the Pepin Family Foundation continues to invest in programs that empower individuals and strengthen our region.
For generations, the Pepin family has believed in being a helping hand when and where it is needed most. That belief remains at the heart of everything we do. While we are proud of the legacy that has been built, our greatest work is still ahead of us.