A Quarter of a Century with Puerto Ricans

President Pepe Mendez with Tom "Taking a new job in Denver in 1986, I was unclear as to the specific projects that would be ahead of me. It wasn't clear to the Regis College president either, but he seemed to have enough confidence to hire and support me." New Ventures Partners with Puerto Rican University System … Continue reading A Quarter of a Century with Puerto Ricans →

Conversations with My Dad

“He might be gone, but Dad’s still here.” I have fairly regular conversations with my father even though he passed away in October 1981. There were also occasions in the past when I told him to be quiet, that he should not speak for me. Like in the following. It might be in work situations, … Continue reading Conversations with My Dad →

Irreparable Damage: Two Skin Cancers

"You cannot undo the damage of the past." Dr. Joe, my Dermatologist During the 1940s and 1950s, my days under the sun at the Braidwood Recreation Club, my baseball playing and coaching career, and workdays outside the cab of my truck: all of it damaged my skin badly enough that pre-cancerous eruptions are now a … Continue reading Irreparable Damage: Two Skin Cancers →

Gordie’s Fairy Dust

"Occasionally Coach Gillespie crossed into the realm of the surreal. In many ways he was a common man, one with whom you could relate to immediately and without hesitation. At other times his wisdom was astounding, leaving the rest of us wondering how he did it." Gordie seemed to have magic at his disposal. He … Continue reading Gordie’s Fairy Dust →

What Are You Afraid Of?

Fear: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. Growing up in Braidwood, I had all the unfounded fears of childhood and then some. Why? Braidwood was a safe town of 1,200. Low crime rate, friendly neighbors, extended family of Kennedys, Ginters, and Klovers … Continue reading What Are You Afraid Of? →

The Unrecognized Coach Gillespie

Most people who have known or read about Gordie Gillespie are aware of his coaching records and outstanding leadership accomplishments. (18 Halls of Fame!) He was a teacher and a true gentleman. At a deeper level there are people who played on his teams, were his students, and worked alongside him as his assistants, associates, … Continue reading The Unrecognized Coach Gillespie →

Looking Back: Regis New Ventures Goes Online

New Ventures Team in circa 2010 Taking a new job in Denver in 1986, I was unclear as to the specific projects that would be ahead of me. It wasn't clear to the Regis College president either, but he seemed to have enough confidence to hire and support me. Four years later in 1990, we launched … Continue reading Looking Back: Regis New Ventures Goes Online →

A New Version of the Ditto Machine: Facebook

Remember the “ditto machines” of the 1960s? During my teaching days at Roncalli High School in Aurora, Illinois, I made liberal use of this machine to reproduce tests and other written materials for my students. They seemed to love the smell of the “dirty purple” paper after they received this paper even though it was … Continue reading A New Version of the Ditto Machine: Facebook →

Braidwood Guy Meets another Braidwood Guy…in Scranton?

“Free time, those wonderful spaces between scheduled activities when one may reflect, observe, or simply write a few thoughts, may be the best times to be alive. It’s like those precious moments between sleep and wake, the caress of floating over placid lake waters. When reality releases its grip, and dreams become reality.” TRK Leader … Continue reading Braidwood Guy Meets another Braidwood Guy…in Scranton? →

Gordie Gillespie Showed What Leading is About

Anyone who has played for, or taught by, Coach Gordie Gillespie will know this to be true. I was fortunate to have played two sports - baseball and basketball - for four seasons each, and then was his assistant coach/athletic administrator for five years. During those critical years, I witnessed the epitome of leadership. I … Continue reading Gordie Gillespie Showed What Leading is About →