It took one man to tell me when I was around 16 years old, “There’s something so good about you TJ, you’re going to do amazing things.” Until then, I’d never heard anyone tell me I was good. I’d never heard any man tell me I could be special.
I grew up in South Alabama, a simple country boy with big dreams. My dad struggled with addiction, alcohol, and abuse—experiences that shaped me in difficult ways, but also taught me the power of forgiveness and love. Despite those challenges, and the odds stacked against me, I was determined to build something meaningful with my life.
Tommy’s journey is one of overcoming the odds to achieve tremendous success. At a young age, he realized that taking ownership of his circumstances could be achieved through self discovery and education. While juggling two jobs to help his single mother pay the power bill, Tommy earned an academic scholarship to Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). There, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Finance and a minor in Psychology.
Years later, Tommy returned to AUM to experience a full-circle moment. In 2017, he was named Business Alumni of the Year, and the following year, he was honored as one of AUM’s Top 50 Most Influential Alumni.
These accolades were the result of a career in wealth management spanning decades. Recognized as a top financial advisor, Tommy consistently ranked among the Top 1,000 Financial Advisors in the U.S. by Barron’s and Forbes. In 2013, he was named #1 in the state of Alabama by Barron’s Top 100.
With over 30 years of experience helping clients plan for their financial goals, Tommy’s passion for helping others has remained a constant. His ability to connect deeply with people—drawing from his own life experiences—has allowed him to mentor and empower individuals across the nation, from student-athletes to high-level business leaders.
“Now I look up and I’m out of the world I came from, it’d be selfish for me to say too bad for you guys that are still in it.
I have a heart to go back in and say: there’s a way out!”
Tommy’s commitment to helping others began on the football field. Though initially hesitant, he observed one of the Cahaba Heights Knights’ practice sessions in Birmingham, Alabama. During that visit, he overheard a child say, “Don’t expect much from us, mister, because we’re a bunch of losers.” That moment was pivotal. It reminded him how the people who believed in him had changed the course of his life—and he knew he wanted to do the same for others.
Recognizing that his life principles could reshape how these kids saw themselves, Tommy agreed to coach the team—and he was right. Under his leadership, they went undefeated, outscoring their opponents 357–12. He not only led that team to a championship, but coached two new teams in the years that followed. As each group bought into his system, Tommy led the program to three consecutive championships. It was proof his process could be repeated—and change lives.
Tommy later transitioned to high school football, where he coached for seven years and won three state championships with Briarwood Christian High School. Building on his success in coaching, he founded The Knights, a youth mentorship program in 1998 that trained and guided over 100 athletes. Many went on to excel in college and professional sports. Among his proudest moments were seeing two of his Knights face off in the 2009 Super Bowl and another achieve a career-high ranking of World No. 11 in Women’s Tennis Doubles.
Tommy’s journey also ventured into music. In 2010, he founded First Note Entertainment (FNE), a multi-genre record label that has achieved over 175 consecutive sold-out shows and launched artists into the Billboard Top 20. Songs from FNE have been featured on The Today Show, World of Dance, American Idol, The Voice, Grey’s Anatomy, and other popular TV shows.
So far, Tommy’s journey has taken him through many unique chapters—but none as important as this one: helping others find their true potential. Whether through keynote speeches, mentorship, or transformative programs, Tommy is dedicated to changing lives with principles and processes that he has lived and continues to teach.
“What I teach got me to where I am today versus leaving me where I was yesterday. I got out. It’s a philosophy, it’s ‘a way’ but not ‘the only way’.
It’s a 40-day process of simple steps and life principles and how you perceive it is what you’ll receive out of it.
Now I’ve left wealth management to spend more time going out to coach, motivate, teach and inspire others.”
Today, Tommy speaks to businesses, schools, churches, and organizations across the country. His bold, heartfelt insights and life principles empower individuals and teams to unlock their full potential—sparking growth, strengthening leadership, and driving lasting transformation. After being invited to speak on stages across the country, Tommy realized that motivation alone wasn’t enough—people needed a clear set of principles and a path forward. That realization led him to write Living the Page, a book that captures the timeless principles that shaped his journey and shows others how to lead with authenticity and purpose—and create lasting success.
