Tom is running for state Treasurer because he believes that the fundamental promise of Massachusetts — that we are a true commonwealth of equal opportunity — is at risk, and that his unique private and public sector experience makes him best qualified candidate to help lead the state forward toward a better and brighter future. Despite the many advantages that our state enjoys, the opportunities available to middle- and lower- class families have eroded. Meanwhile, the equality gap continues to widen. For the Commonwealth to thrive again, Tom believes that we must utilize smart and experienced fiscal management to prioritize education and job training; provide additional support to cities and towns to aid in their financial management; and to make smart investments in local banks so small businesses have access to the capital they need to grow and create new jobs. A thriving middle class is essential to a growing economy and a strong democracy, and Tom believes that the next Treasurer must leverage all of the available tools to help strengthen our communities and move Massachusetts forward. Tom’s time in both the private and public sectors provides him with a unique blend of experience to bring to the Treasurer’s office. During his 16 years as a private sector financial, economic, and risk manager, he helped states around the nation leverage opportunities and grow non-tax revenue, and worked with dozens of private firms to help them grow and create new jobs. As a state representative and legislative leader, Tom authored critical new laws that have helped improve Massachusetts’ credit rating to AA+ (one of the highest available), saving taxpayers tens of millions of dollars over the past four years by lowering borrowing costs. He has led the way in the Legislature to improve the Commonwealth’s fiscal health and protect critical services by directing funds toward trusts and savings. In addition, he authored a law that helps cities and towns reduce their pension liabilities by granting access to the state’s investment management expertise. Since 2007, Tom has served as the state representative for the 13th Middlesex District, representing his hometown of Wayland, Sudbury and parts of Framingham and Marlborough. He is currently the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development previously served as the Vice Chair of the Health Care Financing Joint Committee. In 2009 he was appointed to Governor Patrick’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Science Advisory Council. Throughout his career, Tom has been focused on public service and problem solving. After graduating from Yale, he worked for two U.S. Senators, Gary Hart and Barbara Mikulski, ultimately serving as her foreign policy and national security assistant. Tom’s passion for helping the most vulnerable members of society brought him to Southeast Asia, where helped refugees from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Burma resettle in the United States. That experience led to his role establishing a refugee center in Haiti for the Clinton Administration.
Tom received his an MA in International Economics from Johns Hopkins in Washington DC, and an MBA in Finance from Boston University. He worked in the business sector with various consulting groups in the Greater Boston area, where he focused on helping state agencies manage their finances and guiding private firms to develop more efficient finance practices. He lives in Wayland with his wife, Sarah Sewall, and their four daughters.