Tom is the corporate secretary of the board of directors of the Accelerator Centre and a partner in the law firm of McCarter Grespan Beynon Weir LLP in Kitchener.

Tom has been involved in the Accelerator Centre since its inception. He was the public sector representative on the Waterloo Research and Technology Park Advisory Committee (the organization responsible for establishing the Centre), crafted the Centre's governance model, and chaired the committee to name and establish its board of directors.

In addition to his expertise in governance and business law, Tom is a seasoned entrepreneur with an intimate understanding of the technology sector. He was CEO of Waterloo Microsystems for five years, overseeing the development of the company and positioning it for acquisition. He also helped pioneer the area of technology transfer in Canada, when he first worked with a University of Waterloo professor to create a successful startup 25 years ago.

He brings extensive international experience to the Accelerator Centre. He has been involved in negotiations with companies and national governments in Asia, North America, South America, Europe and Australia.

Born in Waterloo, Tom holds an undergraduate engineering degree from Queen's University and received his law degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He practiced corporate, commercial, business and technology law with Sims Clement Eastman in Kitchener and was a partner in Gowlings in Ottawa and Toronto.

Tom is a devoted sportsman and volunteer. He had a five-year career in the Canadian Football League that included three Grey Cup Championship teams. He has volunteered extensively, fostering Canadian amateur-sports organizations and events. More recently, he helped found the Hospice of Waterloo Region and Communitech, and has served on a number of boards, including that of the Grand River Hospital.