Tom is a cradle Catholic, growing up in the Northeast, raised in a family of five, he is right in the middle of four girls. His father was an electrician, and while his mother stayed at home, with some part time jobs to help make ends meet. Tom went to Catholic Schools through his graduation as an Electrical Engineer from Manhattan College. He met his wife at college, then in 1984 they were wed at Manhattan College (in one of the ugliest chapels on earth). They started their Life together in the Hudson Valley in NY, where Tom started his nearly 28 year career with IBM, followed by another 7 years with Cognizant. They moved to Atlanta, then Charlotte when they sought a simpler lifestyle (going away from a 2-income home, plus nanny) to raise their twins, Thomas & Sarah, who were 2 at the time.
Tom & Dianne joined St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville, NC during its very first days, and they have served in many different capacities. Tom is a charter Knight of Columbus at St. Mark Parish, and was a part of the launch of a “new” Youth Ministry program there in 2001 called Life Teen (after completing an Executive MBA program at Wake Forest University). He has served on the Pastoral Council, was a catechist for 4th graders, ran Confirmation Preparation for Teens (RCIT) and has been training the Altar Servers at St. Mark on and off since its beginning.
In 2013, Dianne and Tom were approached by Fred Goduti (Charlotte Area Regional Sage) to attend an information session on Fraternus and Fidelis. We did, and both of us jumped in. Dianne became the Lead Lady for Fidelis during its first 3 years, and is now is on the National Board for Fidelis, while Tom became Fred’s Finance Officer, and established his reputation for details and quality in all we do (nick-named “The Hammer” by peer captains and creating a new verb in the national team of “being Ridered”). He joined the National team in August and looks forward to contributing wherever his skills can plug in to grow this Awesome ministry to hundreds if not thousands of parishes.
Our family has jumped out of an airplane (making memories when Tom found his Second Job through the intersession of St. Joseph his patron). We love roller-coasters (the bigger / faster the better), live music, and most important we love our time together as both our twins are still here in the area. Finally, after 23 years in Huntersville, raising our family, we downsized this year to a Condo on Lake Norman, and are loving our retirement location and blessed lives. Praise God.