Tom is an adventurer. Raised as a farmboy in North Dakota, he has a deep connection with the soil and loves making things grow. While working the fields in the Red River Valley, watching hawks soar and Grumman Agcats at work peaked his interest in aviation.
Although his collegiate studies began with classical piano performance studies, he redirected to aviation midway through his sophomore year. After learning to fly and earning his Airframe & Powerplant certificates, he went to work for Cessna Aircraft Co. where he spent 19 years at their Citation Service Centers, ultimately as General Manager of the Sacramento facility. Tom is best known for connecting with his customers, listening to their needs and always seeking solutions that were in his clients’ best interests.
Tom’s first professional foray into sales was representing the Cessna brand of Utility Turboprops for Textron Aviation in Western North America. It took only one flight in the Grand Caravan EX to fall head over heels for this rugged plane. He may be at home around Citations, but give him a plane that will take you where civilization hasn’t been, and he’s in. Mix it up with Jet-A, a high wing, and floats: that’s dreamy.
Farming almonds with his wife in northern California has kept Tom grounded, despite his free spirit. And as the father of one (married) daughter and four rambunctious boys, life keeps pretty full. But when there is free time to be found, look for Tom floatplane and tailwheel flying.