Born in San Francisco, Tom grew up in Palo Alto, California and attended the University of California at Berkeley, graduating with a degree in history.  He also attained masters degrees in Library Science and history from San Jose State University.

In 1968, he served in Pleiku, Vietnam in the U.S. Army, and later in Germany attaining the rank of Specialist V.

In 1976, Tom joined staff of the California State Library, where he was promoted to be in charge of the library’s California Section, and its Sutro Branch in San Francisco.  In the 1980’s, Tom worked as an Emergency Manager for the California State Office of Emergency Services, and in the 1990’s as a Staff Manager for the California State Board of Equalization.