Tom's eligibility to the Veterans of Foreign Wars is from his service in the United States Army, serving in Vietnam (1968-1970), earning the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1972, became a life member in 1997 and is currently a Gold Legacy Life Member.

During his 50+year tenure in this organization he has held many positions to include: Post Commander, Chautauqua County Commander, District 6 Commander, as well as serving on the National Veterans Service Committee for many years. Currently he serves as the Director of Veteran Services for the Department of New York and has worked for the past 20 years as a Service Officer assisting our veterans and their dependents. He also had the privilege of being appointed as the State Patriotic Instructor, State Chief-of-Staff, elected to State Junior Vice Commander, State Sr. Vice Commander at the 98^th State Convention, and was elected to State Commander (2019-2020).  The variety of positions has provided him with insight on the many aspects of our Great Organization.

He earned his Associated Degree at Jamestown Community College and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree at State University of New York at Fredonia.