Our People

Tom has been a change agent throughout his career, bringing academic research background as well as practical knowledge in consulting, job profiling, marketing, and sales, to innovative initiatives in education and workforce environments. He has been involved in the training and education field for over 30 years, focused on linking research results to pragmatic decision-making for individuals and organizations.

Tom has been a consultant with Innovate+Educate since 2009. He has assisted with job profiling using the WorkKeys system, data analysis, ROI studies, and strategic planning. Currently, Tom is the Project Director for the Great Lakes Bay Regional Association STEM initiative, a major effort to create an ecosystem around the development of a STEM pipeline for an eight county area in mid-Michigan.

Prior to Innovate+Educate, Tom worked with ACT, Inc., in the development and implementation of WorkKeys, a work skills assessment and certification system used throughout the country. He has been responsible for launching numerous statewide work and career readiness certificate programs, using a “partnership” model among legislatures, governor offices, educational entities, public workforce organizations, and private industry. The goal is to create a “common language” for improving and certifying skills needed for careers that is meaningful to the entire education and training system as well as the business community.

Prior to ACT, Inc., Tom held positions in the research, design, development, and delivery of training programs in management skills, emergency responses, and interpersonal communications. Tom has conducted over 4000 presentations, courses, workshops, conference presentations, and speeches to a wide variety of audiences as well as written numerous books, articles, and technical reports.

Tom’s community work includes being a founder and board member, Coyote Creek Concerts; member, Skills Partnership Committee, Colorado Workforce Development Council; chair of the board, Denver Partners, Inc.; consultant, Prodigal House; adjunct therapist, Ft. Logan Mental Health Facility; and group leader, Volunteers For International Development, Dominican Republic.

Tom received his B.A. from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI, and his Master’s and PhD from the University of Denver. His field of study was and continues to be sociology, with an emphasis in complex organizations, research methods, and training and education.