Tom was elected to the presidency of the Trailblazers and officially took his new position in January, 2006. Over the past several years he has served as communications director and meeting host of the club while also serving as assistant trail coordinator at North Meck Park. Tom was elected to the role of VP from 1999 - 2001, during Jeff Smith's reign of terror. He began riding mountain bikes in 1992 joining the Trailblazer membership in 1997.

Expanding opportunities in the construction of new trails in the Metro-Charlotte area is his top priority as president of the club. The re-connection of the trails at the US National White Water Park (Catawba Riverfront Park, Historic Tuckaseegee Ford Park, call it what you want, it'll always be "Catawba"), new trail construction in Mount Holly, Sherman Branch Park, Lake Norman State Park, and the future Catawba Corridor Trail system are his motivational forces.

Tom enjoys the social aspect of mountain biking, perhaps more than the challenge of racing. That's not to say that he isn't a hammerhead (broken helmets, neck braces, and several scars are a testament to that fact). Tom has been a competitor in the local mountain bike races series for several years. He has traveled to the southwest to ride in Arizona, Utah, and Colorado and the future is bright for additional forays to the desert.

In addition to his affection for all things concerning the sport of mountain biking, he enjoys paddling, hiking, camping and is an all around outdoor enthusiast. During a crazed run of 8 years, Tom competed in some 20 sprint style adventure races. He caught the adventure racing bug at a time in his life where most of his contemporaries were becoming couch potatoes. Collecting music is an important part of his life and experiencing live shows and festivals is his passion. Reading during his (somewhat infrequent) quiet times keeps him grounded.

Tom currently writes a monthly cycling article for Carolina SportsLink/Endurance magazine. From this soapbox he has unlimited access to the cycling community, allowing him to get the word out about his favorite sport.

When not riding, Tom performs state-of-the-art analyses of component failures for several of the top teams on NASCAR's Nextel Cup, Busch, and Craftsman Truck series. Tom has two active children; his daughter, Lyndsay, 20, his scholar and all round fun chic; and son, Travis, who is currently excelling in Lacrosse, strumming his guitar and enjoying all of the perks that come with being a happy-go-lucky teenager. As a single parent of this outgoing 17 year old, his nerves are tested on a regular basis, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

His favorite motto from years of mountain biking is "Speed is your friend"! Let it roll, baby!

Contact Tom at: president@tarheeltrailblazers.com