Tom began his career in commercial real estate in 1974, after graduating from Wichita State University, as a construction and acquisitions manager for Pizza Hut, Inc., developing new restaurants in California, Oregon and Washington. In 1979 he obtained his real estate license and has been affiliated as a broker with the Pace Corporation, Terranomics, First Western Properties and Kidder Mathews, specializing in retail property sales, leasing and tenant representation, land acquisition for multi-family and self storage facility clients, and investment sales. Tom has also been an active member of his community, having served on the Kirkland Planning Commission and Kirkland City Council. His avocations include officiating youth soccer and softball, fly fishing and golf.