Tom represents the whitewater paddling community in connecting the interests of human-powered recreational river users with ecological and science-based data to protect and restore rivers. He received his undergraduate degree at Cornell University before completing his graduate work in aquatic ecology at the University of Wisconsin where he received his PhD. Tom has taught courses in aquatic ecology, including watershed ecology and management, both at the university level and for youth programs. Tom has experience working with resource agencies including the National Park Service and Forest Service both as a research scientist and as an instructor on topics of river management.