Tom is a senior advisor at Higher Order Capital and brings a lifetime of experience and wisdom to our efforts. He currently serves on the board of FeatureBase. Tom is also a Partner at Brightstar Capital where they focus on partnering with closely held and family-owned, middle market companies to build businesses—and relationships—that matter.
Tom’s career spans more than 35 years and includes extensive experience in corporate finance, manufacturing, finance operations, and global financial markets. Prior to joining Brightstar, Tom was Vice Board Chair of Likewize, which was sold to Softbank in 2014. He was a Co-founder and Chair of the Board of Managers of Meritage Capital, an investment management firm specializing in multi-manager hedge funds.
Prior to establishing Meritage in 2003, Tom served in various senior positions at Dell, including CFO, SVP of Business Development and Strategy, and Managing Director of Dell Ventures. Prior to joining Dell, he was VP and Treasurer for Sun Microsystems and Co-Founder and GM of Amdahl Capital Corporation.
Tom has received numerous accolades and awards including being named 2018 Harvey Penick Award Winner for Excellence in the Game of Life; 2012 Chamber of Commerce Austinite of the Year; 2010 Austin Community Foundation Philanthropy Award for donors who have shown philanthropic leadership in Central Texas; the Torch of Liberty Award given by the ADL in 2006; Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year given by the Association of Professional Fundraisers in 2004; and an Honorary Alumni Award given by Leadership Austin in 2003.
Tom currently serves on the Advisory Boards of the LBJ School of Public Affairs as well as the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the University of Texas. He is an Emeritus Trustee of the University of Virginia College Foundation Board. From 2009-2018 Tom served on the worldwide board of The Nature Conservancy. Tom received his B.A. in political science from St. Francis University, a J.D. from Duquesne University and an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center.
Tom is a senior advisor at Higher Order Capital and brings a lifetime of experience and wisdom to our efforts. He currently serves on the board of FeatureBase. Tom is also a Partner at Brightstar Capital where they focus on partnering with closely held and family-owned, middle market companies to build businesses—and relationships—that matter.
Tom’s career spans more than 35 years and includes extensive experience in corporate finance, manufacturing, finance operations, and global financial markets. Prior to joining Brightstar, Tom was Vice Board Chair of Likewize, which was sold to Softbank in 2014. He was a Co-founder and Chair of the Board of Managers of Meritage Capital, an investment management firm specializing in multi-manager hedge funds.
Prior to establishing Meritage in 2003, Tom served in various senior positions at Dell, including CFO, SVP of Business Development and Strategy, and Managing Director of Dell Ventures. Prior to joining Dell, he was VP and Treasurer for Sun Microsystems and Co-Founder and GM of Amdahl Capital Corporation.
Tom has received numerous accolades and awards including being named 2018 Harvey Penick Award Winner for Excellence in the Game of Life; 2012 Chamber of Commerce Austinite of the Year; 2010 Austin Community Foundation Philanthropy Award for donors who have shown philanthropic leadership in Central Texas; the Torch of Liberty Award given by the ADL in 2006; Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year given by the Association of Professional Fundraisers in 2004; and an Honorary Alumni Award given by Leadership Austin in 2003.
Tom currently serves on the Advisory Boards of the LBJ School of Public Affairs as well as the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the University of Texas. He is an Emeritus Trustee of the University of Virginia College Foundation Board. From 2009-2018 Tom served on the worldwide board of The Nature Conservancy. Tom received his B.A. in political science from St. Francis University, a J.D. from Duquesne University and an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center.
