Tom Vellios is Chairman of the Board of Five Below, which he co-founded in 2002, having served as the President and CEO until 2015 and Executive Chairman through 2018 before transitioning to his current role. During Tom’s tenure, Five Below has expanded to over 1500 locations across the USA and since its 2002 IPO has grown its market capitalization almost tenfold to over $9 billion. The company is a high-growth retailer, with nationwide store potential of over 3500 locations.

Prior to Five Below, Tom’s career in the retail space spans more than two decades in department, specialty and discount industries. He intimately builds his success on understanding the market and creating game-changing consumer and wellness brands while ensuring their experience is unmatched in the industry. He is especially committed to fostering opportunities for young entrepreneurs and advocating for equitable access to education and resources for future generations.  It is with this experience and his guidance, that Five Below has emerged as a prominent brand, offering high-quality, trend-right merchandise priced at $5 and below catering to teens, preteens and beyond with a brand, value proposition and store experience that allows customers to “Let Go, and Have Fun!”.

Tom will always be an entrepreneur at heart and is an active partner and mentor in the businesses in which he invests, having successfully guided numerous brands to achieve remarkable growth. He seeks out innovative ideas, disruptive technologies, and socially responsible initiatives.

Tom was born in Diplatanos, Greece and speaks English and Greek fluently.