In 1982, Tom co-founded TUFF to help colleges and universities acquire facilities and equipment via third party, tax-exempt bond financing. TUFF is a 501.c.3 operating foundation.
His efforts were instrumental in introducing the concept of a state-backed one-year lease with multiple renewal periods to the tax-exempt bond market.
A 1958 graduate of Georgia Tech’s industrial engineering program, Tom spent 13 years at Georgia Tech. He founded and directed the Office of Resources Development, having previously worked with alumni development for his alma mater. He served as Technology Park Atlanta’s Vice President and Director before joining White-Weld in the Municipal Markets program, where he participated in the firm’s management of institutional and retail public finance offerings. In 1978, Tom joined Korn/Ferry, an international executive search firm, where he was on the firm’s Executive Committee and was Managing Director for the Southeastern Region.
Tom was TUFF’s Chief Executive Officer from 2001 until March of 2018 when he formally retired. Today, he remains an active Board member, serving as Chairman, and consults frequently in the deliberations of staff and directors. He also represents the Board of Directors in qualifying TUFF’s interest in new opportunities. In addition, he is a Trustee Emeritus of the Georgia Tech Foundation and a past member of the Board of the Georgia Tech Facilities Corporation. He serves on the Board of the American Anglican Council (AAC).
Education
- Georgia Tech, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, 1958
Professional Associations
- Association of University Research Parks
Project Experience
- Bridgeside Point Building Acquisition – Enhancing Life Sciences Node in Pittsburgh, PA – $56M
- 250 East Ponce Building Acquisition – Developing Nursing Innovation Community for Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Learning Center, Decatur, GA – $57M
- Technology Enterprise Park – Sale of Life Sciences Building – Atlanta, Georgia – $60 million
- Atlanta University Center – Central Plant Upgrade – Atlanta, Georgia – $22 million
- Georgia Tech – Centennial Research Building – Atlanta, Georgia – $17 million
- Georgia Tech – Cobb County Research Facility – Marietta, Georgia – $8 million
- Georgia State University – Rialto Theater – Atlanta, Georgia – $4.7 million
- Auburn University – Research Campus Master Development
- Kennesaw State Center – Marietta, Georgia – $16 million
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – $18 million
- University – Housing – Savannah, Georgia – $21.6 million
- Georgia State University – Housing – Atlanta, Georgia – $40.4 million
- State of Georgia and Clayton State University – Georgia State Archives – Morrow, Georgia – $41 million
- Georgia Tech – Yamacraw Facility – Atlanta, Georgia – $75 million
- Georgia Gwinnett College – Classroom Building – Lawrenceville, Georgia – $10 million
- Georgia Gwinnett College – Lab Space – Lawrenceville, Georgia – $2 million
- Clemson University – Research Campus Master Development
- Morehouse College – Housing – Atlanta, Georgia – $20.7 million
- Georgia Tech – Regional Engineering Program, Building 1 – Savannah, Georgia – $4.2 million
- Georgia Tech – Regional Engineering Program, Building 2 and 3 – Savannah, Georgia – $18.6 million
- Savannah Tech College – Purchase of building for classroom and office – Savannah, Georgia – $4.4 million
- Georgia Tech – Advanced Technology Development Center – Atlanta, Georgia – $28 million
- University of Delaware – Research Campus Master Development
- DTAE/QuickStart and Georgia Tech – Centergy, floors 4-5 – Atlanta, Georgia – $28 million
- Georgia Tech – Technology Enterprise Park – Atlanta, Georgia – $65 million
- Florida Institute of Technology – Campus Redevelopment – $60 million
- Georgia Tech – Cobb County Research Facility– Marietta, Georgia – $19 million
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science – North Chicago, Illinois – $50 million
- Northwell Health – New York, New York – $232 million