Some people have the ability to quickly identify a problem. Others, have the skills to craft effective strategies and tactics to solve the problem. And then there are those who implement the strategy and tactics to bring the problem to a close. Finding all three of those competencies in one individual is rare indeed. Tom Comes brings all these qualities together and in practice adds another quality that is even more rare. Leadership.I’ve worked with Tom in a couple of capacities. First, as a member of a creative team assigned to his accounts. Second, as a service provider for a large health care facility. In both environments I saw Tom take the lead in identifying problems, building a team focused on creating strategies and tactics to solve the problems and seize opportunities that arise in the process. Further, Tom follows the efforts to completion and analysis, again bringing together a team to implement the strategies and tactics in the most cost effective ways possible.Tom’s natural ability to see and utilize the talents in others creates an environment where everyone in the process is heard and contributes. The result is better solutions, faster fixes and realistic budgets. A by-product of this process is an atmosphere of trust, loyalty and a mutual desire to succeed efficiently on behalf of the organization. The teams that work with Tom experience very little turnover, and that means teams that work seamlessly and effectively.I have only worked with one other individual who shares these qualities, and he was the CEO of a Fortune 200 company for over 12 years. Tom has the absolute highest recommendation I can possibly give, because I know, without fail, the person who taps Tom has chosen a person with the highest integrity, outstanding problem solving abilities, exceptional leadership skills and unflagging commitment to success. In short, Tom wins, and everyone on the team shares in the win together, especially the client.

I’ve had the privilege of working with and knowing Tom for about 15 years, and by some miracle, neither of us looks a minute over 29 today. Kidding aside, when you love what you do, you stay young at heart, and Tom has been a big part of why I’ve been blessed with finding and nurturing what I love to do.One of Tom’s biggest strengths is recognizing the value of inspiring, empowering and cultivating the strengths of others. The culmination of this strength has been the development of teams that through his guidance, drive and strategic vision have executed countless marketing solutions, on time and on budget. Along with a keen ability to pool talent and resources, Tom also possesses a deep understanding of all marketing and communications disciplines, and has collaborated with a broad range of clients to deliver exceptional results. He is a strategic thinker, a tactical taskmaster, a big-picture believer and a down-to-earth idea guy. Above all, he is fiercely loyal to partnering with and serving those who seek to do things right.

At the recommendation of a former colleague I reached out to Tom at C Marketing to consider partnering on a marketing communications project that had come my way. Having heard Tom’s name through the years, and even working at the same agency but during different years, we hadn’t officially ever met. It became clear during our first introduction meeting that we would work well together having a similar approach to client business. Now, months later, we are still working together, and our skill sets balance each other well in delivering strategic marketing solutions to our clients. Tom is the real deal, a true marketing professional always keeping the client’s best interest at the forefront.