A registered legislative and executive agency lobbyist for over 45 years, Tom began working with Ohio lawmakers in 1970 as Manager of Governmental Affairs at Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc. Later, he was promoted to Director of Governmental Affairs for Columbia Gas’ seven-state distribution operations.

In 1978, Tom joined Kent B. McGough & Associates, one of Ohio’s first independent lobbying firms. He served as Vice President of the firm, which had among its clients the campaign committee of Governor James A. Rhodes, Timken Company, 3M and Ohio Bell Telephone Company. The firm also was a highly successful manager of statewide issue campaigns.

When a consent decree broke up AT&T and the Bell Companies in 1983, Tom accepted the challenge to help rebuild AT&T’s lobbying team. He helped create the AT&T Midwest Government Affairs Operation, hiring governmental affairs professionals in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio. Tom became Director of Governmental affairs for the State of Ohio. In 1986, he was elevated to Regional Vice President of AT&T, having responsibility for all public affairs and regulatory activities for the States of Ohio and Indiana.

Tom started his own lobbying firm in 1991 and built it into one of Ohio’s premier independent lobbying companies. He has repeatedly earned the recognition from political leaders and peers alike for his effective advocacy on behalf of clients. He served several years as Director of the Ohio Lobbying Association and was its President in 2000. In a recent survey of lobbyists and members of the Ohio General Assembly by an independent research firm, Tom was voted Most Effective Independent Lobbyist in Ohio.

Tom is a member of the Perry County Republican Central Committee, and serves on the government affairs committees of both the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Greater Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. Before becoming a lobbyist, Tom was a newspaper reporter for the Youngstown Vindicator and served as a staff writer and Assistant News Editor of the Meadville, PA Tribune. Tom currently serves as a Senior Consultant with K. Brinkman and Associates.