Tom is a resident of Silver Creek Township. Tom has a B.S. from Eastern Michigan in Economics and Labor Studies and an MBA from Indiana University South Bend in Organizational Behavior. The first 17 years of his professional life were devoted to managing Human Relations departments and industrial production. His second career started when he was recruited to teach classes at Southwestern Michigan College, where he ultimately became Dean of the Division of Workforce Education. After 25 years at SMC, he moved to Kalamazoo Valley Community College as Dean of Instruction, Business, Industrial Trades, and Public Services. Now retired, Tom has volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Niles, the Cassopolis / Vandalia Chamber of Commerce, and the Dowagiac Area History Museum.