Director of Development, Human Rights Initiative of North Texas (HRI)

Tom has long been a fundraiser. He has been vice president of two universities, a capital fundraising consultant, Director of Client Relations, vice president of a mental and behavioral health care organization, a minister, a Major Gift Officer of a world class global philanthropic organization, and the Executive Director of Development and the Foundation at an award winning regional community medical center. He now serves as the Director of Development at a nonprofit that was born of a passion and the guts to do something significant to make a positive impact upon the immigration experience of people who seek safety and the ability to stay in this country.

Donors, volunteers, and peers recognize him as a compelling fundraiser, dynamic and inspiring public speaker, raconteur, consensus builder, board motivator, and visionary leader. He has a career long distinction for transforming organizations, changing corporate cultures, and providing staff members the autonomy, encouragement, and tools to excel. He can't leap tall buildings with a single bound, but if the occasion ever calls for it, he's willing to give it a try.

Tom believes the most important aspect of successful fundraising is building relationships. He believes that raising funds is a matter of building a mutual and lasting relationship. It's not simply getting a check or bequest. It's dreaming with a donor about the form a gift can take and what it can accomplish. It's an exploration of the possibilities, based on a donor's passion and wishes for what a gift can do.