MILITARY CAREER
Tom spent 30 years in the Air Force and moved a total of 15 times. He started off as a pilot and spent time in places such as the Philippines. He later became a pilot training instructor and eventually went back to school at the Air Force Academy to get a Master's degree in logistics management. Upon obtaining his degree he became a supply squadron commander where he finished off his time in service as a Colonel. During his service, he received over 20 personal medal citations including five Meritorious Service Medals and the Legion of Merit.
SAU BEGINNINGS
After his time in the Air Force, Tom was hired to John Deere to work in supply management. During his career at Deere, he began teaching part-time as an adjunct at St. Ambrose University and, after retiring from Deere, began teaching full-time in the College of Business. He is currently building a supply chain management major.
IT ALL CONNECTS
"The whole focus of what the faculty is doing is to help the students get where they want to go," Tom says of his work at St. Ambrose. "That's not exactly what the mission says, but that's what we do. I think there's a similarity there between St. Ambrose, John Deere, and the military."
FAMILY MAN
Tom has been married for 46 years to his wife Patti, who is a Social Worker for the VA and works with homeless veterans with substance abuse problems. They have 3 children: Aaron, Sarah and Zac.
— Interviewed by Kylee D. Colvin Jr., Sergeant. United States Marine Corps, and a Human Performance and Fitness major at St. Ambrose
Share This Story
