Tom received an AB degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and MBA and PhD degrees from Georgia State University. His business career began at Trust Company Bank (now SunTrust). He later taught Management and Entrepreneurship at Emory University's School of Business. Subsequent consulting endeavors resulted in his leaving the teaching profession to become president of a cost engineering firm specializing in cost estimating, scheduling, and project management. Tom now devotes most of his time to philanthropic interests that include health, education, civic interests, and human services. Tom currently serves as a member of the Board of Visitors of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and as a trustee of Young Harris College. He is a member of the Southeastern Council of Foundations.