Music and art are at the center of Tom’s life. His large, bright paintings are highly varied in their subjects. His photography documents exotic travels as well as intimate moments of Hollywood celebrities who were his friends. Tom also created numerous works in needlepoint, weaving, sculpture and digital media. His love of music ranges widely, from classical to jazz to world music. His published collections include Go for Baroque and Caribbean Nights, the proceeds of which were donated to Conservation International. In January 2018, his ballet, Legend of Bird Mountain, was choreographed by the Martha Graham Company and performed with the South Florida Symphony Orchestra as part of the orchestra’s 20^th anniversary program. In 2009, Tom was awarded The Young Musicians Foundation’s Humanitarian Award.

Committed to what he sees as “humankind’s most compelling stewardship,” Tom worked for nearly four decades on environmental education and policy advocacy at the international, national and local levels.  A founder of the Global Environment Project Institute and co-founder of the Eastern African Environmental Network, he also supported Friends of the Earth, Conservation International, Idaho Conservation League and other leading organizations. Over the years, he actively worked to organize high-level symposia, draft textbooks and advocacy toolkits, and host events promoting environmental issues. In 1996, the United Nations Environment Program recognized Tom’s achievements with its Global 500 Award.

Tom speaks fluent French and Spanish and can swear in at least three other languages.