Tom was born in 1947 in Paulding Ohio,
one of 10 children.
After graduating from high school, he
went to work at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan as
a millwright apprentice. That was interrupted when he was
drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966.
There he served as a helicopter crew
chief with the 101st ABN aviation in Vietnam from 1967 -
1968. After being awarded numerous Air Medals and a Purple
Heart, he returned to work at Ford Motor Company.
While working, he was involved in
offshore boat racing for over 20 years, including the many
races held at Monroe Boat Club.
Tom retired in 2004, after 38 years of
service from from Ford Motor Company.
In 1984 Tom joined the Monroe Boat
Club. He has held many positions over the years. Among them,
Power Fleet Captain for 2 years, Dock Master for 3, and Vice
Commodore in 2007.
Tom was elected Commodore in 2007 to
lead the Monroe Boat Club for 2008. He's not sure it it's a
culmination of a dream or a nightmare.
