FAB Member Spotlight: Tom Clough

Tom Clough, one of the newest members of the FAB, attributes his place on the board to the influence of fellow Spotlight Board Member, Susan Smith, in addition to encouragement from board member Bruce Allen and a wish to stay connected with the College of Business.  FAB participation is just the most recent of his endeavors which have kept him involved with the University.  Tom has been active with KC Tiger Club, holding the position of president from 2003 to 2004 and has stayed connected with members from of his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi.  Additionally, Tom is a Mizzou Football season ticket holder and makes it to the games whenever he can.
 
Tom grew up in Memphis, Missouri, a little town about 40 miles northeast of Kirksville, Missouri.  His parents moved to Liberty, Missouri when he was in high school and remained in that area.  Tom graduated from the University of Missouri in 1984 with a degree in Finance and immediately returned to the Kansas City area to work for NASD, now Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).  He stayed at NASD through April of 1997 before taking a new position at BMA Financial Services, Inc.  However, in 2000 he returned to FINRA as Director of the Kansas City, MO office and now holds the title of Associate Vice President.
 
When talking about what he enjoys to do outside of work, Tom says “to a lot of us, the working world has become more challenging and requires more time and energy.  So, when that’s not my focus, it’s rewarding to spend time with my family.”  In addition to enjoying quality time with his wife, Otis, and daughters, Liza, 13, and Merrie, 5, Tom is active in a foundation his family started in memory of his son, Jake.  Headstrong for Jake is a group devoted to providing properly fitted bicycle helmets to children in the Kansas City area in addition to educating young people in bicycle safety.  Thus far, the organization has provided over 3,000 properly fitted bicycle helmets to local children, allowing Tom to use the skills he developed at Mizzou for an important cause.
  Tom looks back fondly on his time as a business student at Mizzou. He continues to be a strong advocate for the University, saying it is a “terrific place to go to school. The educational programs are challenging and rewarding; there is an active social life that creates friendships and memories that last a lifetime.  Additionally, the success of the athletic department provides fans and alumni ample opportunity to return to campus and cheer on the Tigers.  Combined these elements represent a wonderful example of what a student’s total college experience should be.”

Last Edited: 4/22/2009