Tom Edwards was raised in central Missouri, in Camdenton, the “Hub City of the Lake of the Ozarks”. His family has lived in that area since before Missouri became a State in 1821. Tom insists that he is a genuine Hillbilly and proud of it. He attended Missouri State University for over three years before marrying and discovering that two cannot live as cheaply as one! He earned additional undergraduate hours at Drury University while working full-time. While building a successful business career, he found the Ottawa University adult degree completion program, and finished his BA degree, this time working full-time and raising a family. Having found a hunger to learn more, he completed his Master of Arts in Human Resources, again as a non-traditional student.
Tom started his professional career as a full-time temporary “computer attendant” with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, later transferring to AT&T Long Lines and finally to AT&T itself. Throughout his 30-year career, he was worried that somebody would find out he was a temporary employee, even after rising to the executive level. His love of education led him to leave AT&T and accept an entry level position with Ottawa University that allowed him to teach as an adjunct. His career in education advanced and he held a variety of positions such as the Director of Business Programs, assistant Professor of Business, and lead faculty for the undergraduate Human Resources Management program.
Tom “retired” from full-time work in July of 2015, but continues to teach 8-10 classes per year for Ottawa University, primarily in Human Resources, Leadership, Organizational Behavior and Business Ethics.