Tom studied in the heart of Kalamazoo, MI at Western Michigan University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management. Despite having a degree as a WMU Bronco, Tom will tell you he bleeds Maize and Blue and is a lifelong Wolverine. Since attending his first college football game at age 10 with his father in Ann Arbor, he has been an avid University of Michigan sports fan.
In his career over the past 30 years, Tom has been involved in various roles in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Contract Management and Vendor Management. Tom joined Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods in May of 2012, serving in his current position as Director of Strategic Sourcing. Tom leads our Purchasing and Warehouse Teams at the Kitchen and Bakery along with keeping an eye on our cost of goods sold and developing and maintaining positive strategic relationships with our supply partners.
Tom has been married to his wife, Allison, since 1989 and has three kids, Eliza, Emma, and Luke. Spending time together as a family is a high priority and being together around the dinner table with great food is always a special part of life and is often filled with laughter.
Favorite Quote: “Whatever you do in life, make it your goal to serve and meet the needs of others and you will always find success.” Charles C Shaver, V.P. Coca Cola (and my Grandfather).
Favorite Sports/Hobbies: Football, Hockey, Golf and Woodworking/Furniture Making (because without wood, you are just working).
Why Ukrop’s: Having lived in Richmond since the early 90’s, I was a customer of Ukrop’s Supermarkets and came to admire and respect the integrity and values with which the company operated. Especially how customer and community focused the family and employees were. Well, all the food is amazing to eat, so there’s that too! When the opportunity came to join the team at Homestyle Foods, it was an answer to prayer. Every day I am inspired by the amazing associates here that I have the privilege to work with. It is the best work culture I have ever been part of and I love my role in nourishing our community.
