Tom began his career in the horseracing industry in 1988 working as a security officer at the now-closed Ak-Sar-Ben Racetrack in Omaha.  In 1991, he graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Tom began working for the Nebraska Racing Commission in 1993 as an Investigator. He graduated from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center in November 1995. 

 

During 2003, Tom was promoted to Director of Investigations where he worked until he was appointed as the Executive Director of the Racing Commission in 2008. This assignment was accomplished with only one other employee. In 2020, Tom became the Executive Director of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission when gaming was approved by the voters of Nebraska. As of March of 2023, three casinos were operating in Nebraska. This task was undertaken with a very small staff of less than 10 people.

After 30 years working for the State of Nebraska Tom retired as of March 11, 2024.

 

From 1988 to 2002, while working for the Racing Commission, he also worked part-time as the Police Chief of Yutan, Nebraska.  He has also been a Reserve Deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Tom is on the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) Board of Directors, serving as treasurer and is a member of the following ARCI committees: Executive Committee, Model Rules, Pari-Mutuel Auditors, Rider and Driver Welfare and Safety Committees, is a member of the National Licensing Review Board, serves as Treasure of the National Licensing Compact, is a board member of the Organization of Racing Investigators, serves as the ARCI’s alternate to the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) board and is involved with the AQHA Integrity Enforcement Teams. Tom has served two terms of office as the ARCI Chairman. In 2015, Tom was awarded the Len Foote award by the ARCI.  This award is in recognition of exemplary service and contribution to racing integrity by a Commission Executive Director as chosen by his peers.

 

Tom has been instrumental in creating and expanding the Organization of Racing Investigator organization.  Tom has served in several roles within the ORI.  In 1999, Tom was awarded the ORI lifetime members award.

 

Tom has given presentations to students at the University of Arizona’s Racetrack Industry Program as part of the Joe Hirsch Speaker Series. He has spoken and given presentations at numerous racing and gaming conferences in the United States and internationally.

 

Tom has also been involved in supervising security at the Men's College World Series and Olympic Swim Trials held in Omaha, Nebraska, and has vast security experience in large scale events.

 

Tom is currently a Nebraska Certified Law Enforcement officer.