Tom is the Assistant Director for the recently formed Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. He also teaches entrepreneurship in both Health Sciences and the College of Business and Public Administration. Tom is a Managing Director of Swartwood Hesse Inc., a New York-based investment banking firm that specializes in financing entrepreneurial businesses. He is also the founder of The Pointer Group LLC, a Des Moines-based small business advisory firm. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors of Carriage Inc., a manufacturer of high-end fifth-wheel travel trailers located in Millersburg, IN. He came to Des Moines in 1994 in connection with acquisition of R.G Dickinson & Co., where he served as president. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Georgetown University Law Center, he later earned an MBA from Drake University. He has worked with dozens of innovative entrepreneurial companies throughout North America, Europe , and China. He has also served on numerous public and private company boards of directors.
