Tom is a North Carolina Native. Tom graduated from NC State in 1971 with a BA in geology. Tom went to work as a surveyor’s assistant (chainman) in 1971. After working for several different firms in the Raleigh area he received his license to practice surveying in the State of North Carolina in 1978. Tom moved to Holden Beach, NC in 1979 and started Brunswick Surveying, which he ran until 2006 when he sold the company.  In January of 2008 he joined the staff of the North Carolina Secretary of State as Land Records Manager.

Tom was on the Brunswick County Planning Board for 5 years, he was chairman for two of those years. 

Tom receiver the “Surveyor of the Year” award from the North Carolina Society of Surveyors in 1997 and in 2000. He also received the National Society of Professional Surveyors “Surveying Excellence Award” in 2001.

In 2011 the North Carolina Property Mappers Association awarded Tom the Prestigious Plumb Bob Award and Lifetime Membership.

He is married to Susan M. McCaskill, They have 2 children, Robert and Heather.