A man of few (though well chosen) words and deliberate action — not to mention a real knack for business operations, technology and financial management — Tom created, expanded and sustained Ivy Sea's very effective infrastructure, allowing us to deliver outstanding performance and great client service. A natural teacher and all-around swell guy, Tom is also a sought-after technology and systems planner, organizer, trouble-shooter, project leader and consultant. In addition to his work inhouse, he regularly provides leadership, operations and technology counsel and support to several small-business and corporate clients.

Before joining Ivy Sea in 1995, Tom worked for several San Francisco Bay Area information systems consulting firms, where he collaborated with corporate Information Technology leaders and IT consultants to implement a variety of information systems and technology projects.

Prior to his consulting gigs, Tom served for eleven years as an officer in the United States Navy. He spent four years with the Naval Recruiting District-Virginia in a university relations and officer recruitment post; several years aboard the Navy ship U.S.S. Gray as an engineering officer (making sure the ship could reliably go to sea, and putting out real fires while actually out at sea), and as a training officer in the Naval Reserve.

Tom is a dedicated technology advocate and Mac Superfreak (and has been since getting his first Mac SE in 1987), and was one of the few people who firmly believed that Apple would rise again when that company's stock dropped below $14 and naysaying was popular (he was right). He's also an avid movie and television buff (try to stump him) and digester of information on business, technology and pop culture.

Tom has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Rochester, served on U of R's Bay Area alumni board, and has completed a number of continuing education courses in database management and telecommunications, human resources, meeting and change facilitation, and graphic design.

Learn more about Tom's consulting services and offerings.

Reach Tom directly at tom@ivysea.com.

— P.M., Data Architect and Project Manager, Robert Half International

Career? I don’t know about having a career. I do have a life, though. So where that’s concerned, pretty much everyone I’ve met and everything that’s happened to me has had a hand in what I’m about now.

What do you find most challenging about your career?

Again, I’d prefer vocation since I really don’t turn the spigot off after hours. That said, helping others – in our "me first, make it fast and complicated" world – see that (1) taking time to be still, and (2) not being busy all the time doesn’t mean that we’re not productive. And since there’s really nowhere for us to "go," helping them ask themselves: Why don’t I just enjoy being right where I am?

Most rewarding?

When I can move people to feel that they’ve made a difference and that they, indeed, have something valuable to contribute. When they’re happier, more self-sufficient and energized for having crossed my path.

If you could pursue any other profession, what would you do?

A combination philosopher, architect, musician and surfer (or any sport requiring me to be in literal balance with nature).

What’s the one item you have on your person most of the time?

Animal: My 5’10", 185-pound, bio-transportation and information-gathering device
Vegetable: Blistex lip balm
Mineral: My wedding ring

If you were a non-human object/being, what would you be?

Animal: It doesn’t matter, they’re all smarter than I am
Vegetable: Old growth redwood or a stand of Aspen trees
Mineral: A big American Southwest flat rock, heated by the sun

What’s one of your favorite quotes?

"Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there." From the Gospel according to Thomas, discovered among the gnostic texts at Nag Hammadi in Upper Egypt in 1945

"Shut your eyes and you will burst into flames." The Log Lady
"Thank you." Sheriff Truman
"Thank you very much." Agent Cooper

What type of person do you get along with the best?

Someone who can have an entire, coherent conversation strung together with nothing but movie lines.

Name one of your pet peeves.

Speaking of movie lines, there’s a line from The Princess Bride where Westley tells Count Rugen "We are men of action; lies do not become us." A biggie for me is self-serving, mean-spirited deception and spin. Whether it’s coming from government officials, Enron executives, or advertisers, I feel it only prolongs our collective pain.

What’s the one question you’d like definitely answered?

When I was a kid, I used to contemplate boundaries (seriously, I did). Something like: "These fish are in this fish tank, this fish tank is in my bedroom, my bedroom is in my house, my house is in Maryland, Maryland is in the United States…planet Earth…solar system…galaxy…universe…So where does it end?" I’d really like that one answered.

Of what are you most proud?

I don’t believe I’m a naturally courageous person. In fact, I sometimes get downright queasy about overcoming fears. But there are those times when I’ve chosen to be uncomfortable and trudge through these self-imposed limits that convince me that by breaking free, I’m expanding my experience and ability. The great thing about these times? Typically, everyone involved around me tends to be better off as a result of my effort.

What was one of your favorite games as a child?

I don’t know if it’s more of a toy than game, but I loved everything LEGO. We had a LEGO carrying case with enough pieces to build a city (this was before wheels, moving parts and pre-fab designs with instructions). It was totally right angles and blank canvas. I also had this labyrinth game where – by turning two knobs to manipulate a one-foot squared surface – you navigated a steel ball from one side to the other without falling in the holes (They still sell the original, too!).

What’s your favorite comfort-food meal?

Right now it’s a chubby super burrito with jalapenos and guacamole, and a bag of chips. Any time, anywhere.

What book or books are you currently reading?

I’m rereading Margaret Wheatley’s Leadership and the New Science, and reading her recently released Turning to One Another; also, J.H. Hatfield's Fortunate Son: George W. Bush and the Making of an American President. And I regularly revisit my collection of pocket White Eagle books.