Ajit Mathew GeorgeAjit Mathew George is a serial entrepreneur, opportunity maker, creative marketer, TEDx organizer emeritus, food & wine aficionado, philanthropist. He has over 40 years of experience in creative marketing, strategic planning, and business developmentin various arenas from broadcasting and events to non-profits and real estate development. Ajit is the founder of Second Chances Farm, LLC, (www.secondchancesfarm.com) an organization focused on hiring and giving turn key entrepreneurial opportunities to people returning from prison after serving their sentences through the creation of indoor, hydroponic vertical farms - or "plant factories." Through Magic Dust, LLC, he helps organizations and individuals build their dreams, accelerate their results, and create richer, more fulfilling lives through Life Coaching, strategic marketing and event planning. Over the years, Ajit has sprinkled his "magic dust" to create some magical events such as First Night Wilmington, Meals From the Masters Celebrity Chef's Brunch, Evening With The Masters, Cellar Masters Wine Auction, Evening of Style, Black Tie Monopoly Tournament, Virgin Islands Winemakers Dinners, MidAtlantic Wine + Food Festival and TEDxWilmington. As the founder of TEDxWilmington (www.tedxwilmington.com) Ajit organized and produced 32 TEDx events between 2012 and 2018 including a very special TEDx Salon inside a prison in July 2015. These different TEDxWilmington events featured 490 speakers from around the world who gave 469 TEDx talks. As of August 6, 2019, the TEDx talks given at TEDxWilmington had over 22.5 million views on YouTube. Prior to going into the private sector in 1980, Ajit was director of marketing and membership services for WHYY Inc. in Philadelphia, Pa., where he raised millions of dollars for public television and public radio through direct mail and on-air fundraising. Over the years, Ajit has been recognized for his many philanthropic activities. He received the prestigious 2007 Award for Outstanding Philanthropic Service from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Brandywine Chapter. Ajit also received from the Rotary Club of Tortola in 2006 the Paul Harris Award by Rotary International. In addition to being the recipient of the l994 Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Award in Delaware, Ajit was the recipient of the Jefferson Award in 2002 for his work with the YWCA and the Jefferson Award in 2003 for his work with Meals On Wheels. Ajit also received in 1999 the National Volunteer of the Year award from the Meals On Wheels Association of America. He attended the University of Delaware and received his undergraduate degree from Antioch College and a graduate degree in organization development from Antioch University. Born of Indian parents and brought up in Kuwait, Ajit moved to the United States in July 1970. Ajit resides in Wilmington with his wife and their red standard poodle HRH Maharani. They have a long tradition of hosting a monthly Seven Course Wine Dinner in a wine cellar at their house in Wilmington, Delaware where they have mementos from their travels around the world. Ajit is a passionate gardener who has planted over a 1,500 plants over the years at Sunset Watch in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands (www.sunsetwatch.com). Read More Read Less