Tom started collecting puzzles when he was nine years old and by 1990 had a modest collection. In 1989 he bought the Slocum/Botermans Puzzles Old and New. The book inspired him enough to try puzzlemaking. He figured he could add to his collection if he was successful. He made a variety of Burrs and Packing puzzles during the next three years and sold them at local Wood shows. At puzzle collectors, artists and designers gatherings he met Bill Cutler, Oskar van Deventer, Frans de Vreugd and Dic Sonneveld. He asked and was granted permission to make their designs. He then acquired Stewart Coffin’s Puzzlecraft book and started producing his designs too. During the period from 1994 to the present he has designed around seven puzzles of his own, most of which have been used as exchange puzzles at the International Puzzle Parties. Tom lives in Ohio, USA.