Tom is the CEO of Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company. Prior to Sierra Space, Tom was the Chairman, CEO and President of Aerion Corporation, a company developing supersonic civil aviation.​

Tom was the President of Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems sector, an $11 billion global advanced technology business with 23,000 incredibly talented team members. The team members were pioneers in space-based observatories, satellites, fully autonomous intelligent systems, combat aircraft, high powered lasers, and microelectronics.​

Prior to becoming the President of Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems sector, Tom was the President of their Technical Services sector, a recognized leader in integrated logistics and modernization, defense and government services and training solutions, with more than 19,500 employees. Tom led businesses at more than 300 locations in all 50 states and 29 countries, supporting a diverse customer base, including the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, State and the Interior as well as NASA. Tom retired from Northrop Grumman in 2017 after 31 distinguished years of service.​

Tom is a successful operating executive with unquestionable integrity, broad industry experience, and proven strategic, financial, risk management, and technical skills. Tom is a visionary and inspiring leader, with relentless discipline and long-term focus. Tom is genuinely respected and trusted by his customers, employees, industry peers, and investors. He has a very thoughtful, creative, and collaborative style. Tom has a comprehensive understanding of the government regulatory and compliance environment.

Tom has served on the board of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the board of governors for the USO, the board of trustees for the Florida Institute of Technology, Purdue University’s School of Astronautics and Aeronautics, and Local Motors. Tom currently serves on the board of councilors for USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering.​

Tom is the recipient of the 2016 Daniel J. Epstein Engineering Management Award from the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering. The Engineering Management Award was founded in 1978 to recognize industry leaders who have made lasting contributions to science and engineering through exemplary professional accomplishments and contributions to the field of engineering management. In 2024, Tom was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® by Ernst & Young in recognition of his ability to create long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit. ​

Tom earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California. He has completed numerous advanced management programs including MIT’s Corporate Strategy, Northwestern’s Value Creation through M&A, Caltech’s Management of Technology and Innovation, Caltech’s Strategic Marketing of Technology Products, UCLA’s Executive Marketing, and Defense Acquisition University’s Advanced Program Management course.