HEY THERE, I’M TOM

I’ve always been drawn to the space where policy, communications, people, and new thinking meet — because that’s where meaningful change starts. And there’s plenty more ahead.

My New Jersey State career started at entry-level operations. The “foot in the door,” as they say. Within about a year, I jumped into people ops — leading employee engagement and culture change initiatives for the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s 3000-plus workforce. Part training facilitation, part systemic fixes. That highly visible internal communications and information design quickly led me to the Office of Communications — which more naturally aligned with my degree and skillset.

In 2016, I was recruited by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to streamline and modernize its communications operations. After several upward transitions — first to Deputy Director and then into a broader role supporting the Office of the Chief of Staff — I now serve as Director of Communications and Marketing. In this executive position, I work directly with the Commissioner, Chief of Staff, and legislative stakeholders to align cross-functional teams — legal, policy, operations, and government relations — to move and message high-priority initiatives from concept through execution. This has included multi-stakeholder engagement strategies bringing together employer groups, advocacy organizations, and legislative offices, and ongoing intelligence-sharing with counterparts across all 53 states and territories.

This exciting work often finds me proudly partnering with the NJ Innovation Authority on large-scale modernization projects that improve digital experience and strengthen public engagement. With each initiative, there is a consistent focus on making sure new systems meet people where they are, have organizational buy-in, and are built to last and adapt.  

That’s how I approached my own businesses as well.

What best complements my state experience is the private sector thread running alongside my civil service record. Over the years, I’ve recognized opportunities in the market (that doubled as a means to nurture creativity on nights and weekends) and built two companies from scratch — collaborating with small business owners and Fortune 100 clients, producing media and running national events, and doing the unglamorous work of building something from zero. That combination — institutional experience and entrepreneurial drive — is what operational innovation requires.

When I'm not scheming toward improvement, I can be found around a campfire, kayaking down the Delaware, or other places where the dress code doesn't include a visitor badge.