Like many second generation nurserymen, Tom started working at his father's nursery, East Bay Nursery in Berkeley, Ca., at a very young age.

After high school, Tom attended Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo before returning to Berkeley to further hone his skills at his father's nursery.

In 1972 he bought Orchard Nursery & Florist in Lafayette, CA. from Jack Schneider, a long time ANLA member. Tom is a California Certified Nursery Professional TM, and has been honored for his devotion to the industry on many occasions by the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers. Tom has received their Young Nurseryman of the Year Award, The California Association of Nurserymen's Endowment for Research and Scholarship Award, The President's Award, The California Association of Nurserymen's Certification Hall of Fame Award and in 2004 he received the CANGC's most prestigious honor, The Pacific Coast Nurserymen Award. He is also the recipient of the Nursery Executives of North America Annual Award.

Tom has been an active member and director of the Master Nursery Garden Center buying co-op for over 30 years, he also currently sits on the International Garden Congress Board of Directors and is a long time member of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. In 1989 Tom was selected as Lafayette Citizen of the Year.