Ballantyne Magazine covers news, events, real estate, restaurants, shopping, health, schools and business in the upscale Ballantyne Area of Charlotte, NC.
Issue link: https://ballantynemagazine.epubxp.com/i/370594
BALLANTYNE | faces TOMMY SOFFERA Birthplace: Charleston, S.C. Job: National account manager, ConAgra Foods Inc. What do you like most about your job? I love to learn from the ConAgra teams that I work around, especially the young folks, since I'm no longer one of them. What's your guilty pleasure? A spoonful, or several, of Peter Pan honey roasted peanut butter topped with a spicy-hot homemade jam. What is your favorite Ballantyne-area restaurant? For breakfast, Anna's Deli On the Green (egg whites and turkey on an English muffn). Lunch, Terrace Café. Describe your dream vacation. Two weeks on a small island accessible only by boat and with good waves, no Internet or cellphones, my four sons and their spouses and spouses-to-be, the three grandkids, a playground, porpoises, nonstop music and a thatched-roof hut with a full line of adult beverages, good burgers and seafood. What would your theme song be for walking into a room? "Mamma Tried" by Merle Haggard. What is your favorite news source? Thomas, my 4 ½-year-old grandson. I would be rather caught dead than wear _____. Sandals. What charitable organizations are you involved with? The AIM at Melanoma Foundation. My bride of 37 years became my angel bride two years ago due to melanoma. I also support the Virginia Institute of Autism. A brother and good friend have autistic children. What is a hidden gem in Ballantyne? This is not so much a place but an experience. I work in Ballantyne and fnd that Mr. (Smoky) Bissell is a rare treat. I ride up the elevator with him occasionally, and he is the kindest, most polite gentleman that I've been around in many years. He is forever holding doors, tipping hats and offering best wishes for a good day. He reminds me of another day and time, a different era that may be slipping away. Share something that someone would never guess about you. I make pretty cool beanbag-toss boards for friends, and I may be the only male in Charlotte over 16 who has read all of the Harry Potter books and the Twilight series. 30 BALLANTYNE MAGAZINE FALL 2014