Thomas is an experienced business counselor providing financial and technical assistance to small and medium-sized businesses across a variety of industries and stages of development. Tom uses his background in economics, accounting and finance to help growing companies secure the financial resources required for growth through private investment and commercial and non-traditional lending. His education background includes degrees in accounting and economics, an MBA, a doctoral candidate in Computer and Information Systems. He holds certifications as an SBA commercial loan underwriter and an INBIA Certification in Business Incubation Management, he is a certified trainer in the Profit Mastery and Growth Wheel programs. At CEI Thomas leads a state-of-the-art, award-winning business incubator that focuses on the commercialization of bioscience and medical device technologies emerging from Arizona’s higher education community.  CEI is expanding its mission by launching a state-wide workforce training initiative (LabForce) focused on building the skilled workforce needed by the Arizona bioscience industry.  In 2021 Thomas was recognized by AZBio as the Educator of the Year. Thomas came to CEI after a 25 year career in Michigan universities where he has held a variety of leadership positions where he has spearheaded multiple state-wide outreach initiatives to support businesses and entrepreneurs that include the Inventors Center of Michigan, the Michigan Manufacturing Resource and Productivity Center and the Michigan Business Incubation Association. Tom has been at the forefront of the use of technology in education for his entire career.  He was recognized by the Michigan legislature as “Michigan’s E-Learning Pioneer” and has served as the Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Michigan Virtual University and the Michigan Virtual High School.