Tom's career began in a histology laboratory at Newport Beach's Hoag Hospital. He worked closely with pathologists in the grossing lab as well as assisted with frozen sections, autopsies, and other lab-related duties.
Tom then began his scientific sales and management career of over 20 years at Phenomenex, selling analytical chemistry solutions to life science, biotech, and research accounts.
Tom earned his bachelor's degree in Chemistry from UC Santa Barbara after a stint in the Navy’s Nuclear Power program.