Tom represents clients before government policy makers on business issues, tax policy matters, and economic development opportunities. His clients range from small business owners to multinational companies to major Ohio business associations. Tom’s relationships and interactions with several Ohio associations provides unique insight on important policy matters, including education, spending, and politics, which can be leveraged to benefit his clients. As a Past-Chair of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Tom currently serves on its Executive Committee, as well as on the board of the Chamber’s Political Action Committee and Ohioans for a Healthy Economy, Inc., a 501(c)(4) organization. Tom serves as Treasurer for the Jobs, Education, and Tax Policy PAC and the Manufacturing Policy Alliance.

 

Previously, Tom served as Ohio Tax Commissioner and a member of Governor Bob Taft’s cabinet. As Tax Commissioner, Tom led the Ohio Department of Taxation, which is responsible for administering most state-collected taxes, several locally collected taxes, and for supervising the real property tax. His role included guiding the development of Ohio's tax policy through state and federal legislative efforts. Tom also worked closely with tax administrators in other states as a participant in the Federation of Tax Administrators, the Multistate Tax Commission and as chair of Ohio's delegation to the Implementing States Committee of the Streamlined Sales Tax Project.

 

Following an ethical scandal at the Ohio State Racing Commission, Tom was appointed by Governor Taft to the Racing Commission in order to assist the newly appointed Chair and Executive Director to reform the Racing Commission. He was reappointed to the Racing Commission by Democratic Governor Strickland and was instrumental in guiding the Strickland administration’s understanding of Ohio’s gaming laws.

 

Prior to his service as Ohio’s Tax Commissioner, Tom was a tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, assisting clients of all sizes.

​

Tom received his B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Cincinnati, and his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State Moritz College of Law. Tom lives in Blacklick, Ohio, with his wife Mickie. They have two adult children. 

​​