In 1987, Tom was a pioneer in the then-innovative idea to deconstruct U.S. Treasury Bonds into Principal Strips (Zero-Coupon Bonds) and Interest Strips, which today are mainstream investment products used by institutional investors to hedge portfolios.
This experience led Tom to co-found RIVE to implement the innovative idea to deconstruct life insurance policies into Face Value Strips™ (Zero-Premium Life Insurance Policies™) and Premium Strips™.
Tom brings extensive experience with fixed-income investments from a successful career in the commercial banking industry. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1963-1965, Tom rose from a Loan Officer to Vice President – Correspondent Banking at LaSalle National Bank. Subsequently, Tom was President and CEO of National Bancorp in Melrose Park, IL, which was sold to Banco Popular, and Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Village Bank in Arlington Heights, IL, which was sold to Wintrust Financial.
Tom has volunteered much of his time to numerous non-profit organizations, including serving as President of Aspire of Illinois, President of Inverness Golf Club, Governor of the Chicago District Golf Association, and Director and Treasurer of Almost Home Kids (now part of Lurie Children’s Hospital). Tom holds a B.S. from Xavier University and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University. Tom and his wife of 52 years, Kathy, live in Inverness, IL, have 3 adult children, and have 5 wonderful grandchildren.