Biography
Born in Auburn, Alabama, moved to Madison, Wisconsin while his father received a PHD degree in Animal Science until 1952. Then at age 5 his family moved to Athens, Georgia where his father became a full Professor. His mother, Grace Zwigart of Sharpsburgh, Pennsylvania was in the WAC (Women's Air Corp) during WWII. The family moved to Washington State College in 1957 to further his father's teaching. Tom graduated Pullman High School studying World History and Art. Tom graduated Washington State University in 1969 with a BA degree in Fine Arts. He studied documentary film making at the Edward R. Murrow Center. Tom joined Air Force ROTC program, becoming Honor Guard Cadet but astigmatism of the eyes prevented further pilot training. He enlisted in U.S. Coast Guard and was stationed at, Alameda, California. He landed a production artist position with Gruye-Vogt Opperman advertising agency in Palo Alto, CA producing training films for astronauts scheduled for NASA's Missions to the Moon, at the Ames Research Center. He was an early marketeer of the Video Cassette Recording System (VCR) and cartridge television "Cartrivision". Tom became Art Director for the NFL Chargers professional football team in San Diego in 1973-1977. For one year he was a program producer for fighter pilot training at NAS Miramar, "Fightertown USA, "Top Gun" developing training programs in the use of the Hughes "Phoenix" missile system on the F-14, until contract was completed. He created numerous Illustrated articles for CBS Publishing and Petersen Publishing (14 newsstand magazines, Trailer life, MotorHome, Fast Mustangs, Hot Rod, Car Craft Pick Up Van & 4 Wheel Drive, Dirt Rider, Motor Cycle) in Hollywood throughout the 1970s and 80s. His most notable work was a double spread illustration of an article on automobile legend John Delorean titled, "View from the Bunker" in Motor Trend Magazine. Tom painted numerous celebrity magazine cover portraits of Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney, Dan Fouts, Mario Andretti, Willie Shoemaker, and many others including Richard Petty, (when Petty retired the art was awarded as a prize in a nationwide contest at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Tom was recognized by the Society of Illustrators of New York for his film expedition along Amazon River in Brazil, Colombia and Peru. He won a Silver "Maggie" award for magazine illustration. He filmed "Sweet Amazon" in 1976 released again in 2003. Tom became an advisor the the United States Congress in 1987 and was awarded a special lapel star by Majority Leader Trent Lott for his contribution to the war effort during the Nicaraguan conflict. Tom Joined Rick Dyer Industries on video game "Thayer's Quest", later renamed "Kingdom." Tom entered into the television industry in 1991, as Senior Art Director on the FOX Network, animated series "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" (Season 2) starring John Astin. In 1992 he Directed his second live action production, "Civil War Correspondent" (1992) (V). Tom became active in the video games industry as Vice President of Studio Arts Multimedia, and President and Co-founder with Mark Watson of the video game testing company, Gametest Co., testing game products for Nintendo and Sega. In 2004-2007 he completed the television production "The Last Supper", which can be seen on the Trinity Boadcasting Network during the Easter time. In 2010 Tom Co-Produced with Ken Heshler and Directed the High Frontier Venture II western feature, "Sheriff of Contention" written by former policeman Sam Fidler. Sheriff of Contention will have a DVD premier release through Lionsgate Home Entertainment April, 2014.
