Tom’s Short “Personal” Bio

Tom was born and raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma. During his pre-teen and teenage years, Tom kept busy with farming, ranching, working horses and cattle, and general assistance around his dad’s Veterinary Clinic. During this period, Tom learned two (2) significant items: First, the value of a strong work ethic and, second, that he didn’t want to become a veterinarian.

After graduating from Ponca City High School in 1975, Tom attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received a B.S. Degree in Geology in 1979. After graduation, Tom went to work in the oil and gas industry, as did many geologists at that time, and lived in various southern states, including Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. When the oil and gas industry began to decline in the mid to late 1980’s, Tom refocused his career on water instead of oil and pursued Hydrogeology Classes at Oklahoma State University (OSU). In 1989, after completing his Hydrology Certification at OSU, Tom moved to Tulsa, OK, which he now calls home. While working during the day for a local consulting firm, Tom completed his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering (MSCE) in 1996 through night courses at OSU. Deciding that he also needed a doctorate, Tom again returned to night school at OSU and received his Ph.D. in Environmental Science in 1999.

In March of 2000, Tom opened his own consulting firm, Alexander Consulting, Inc.

Too old and beat up from years of tournament tennis and hang gliding, Tom’s current interests include photography, walking, swimming, and reading. However, he has not completely stopped living on the edge, and has even convinced Jacque, his wife, to likewise “broaden her personal horizons.” Tom and Jacque enjoy speedily cruising the Oklahoma back roads and Colorado Rockies on their new motorcycle. Last winter, Tom taught his reluctant wife the joys of downhill snow skiing (“just point those tips down and go”). And this summer, a friend (!?!) introduced Tom and Jacque to SCUBA diving and they recently completed their PADI certification. Although Jacque was initially afraid to put her face in the water, she’s now diving like a professional. Tom, on the other hand, still occasionally pops up like a champagne cork as he struggles with the subject of neutral buoyancy as if it’s a foreign language.