References
From Cres Fleming, past President of Fort Lewis College Professional Associates…
Tom joined our volunteer organization in 2007 with the intent of helping military veterans excel at Fort Lewis College. In 2 and ½ years of working with and through vets at the school, he has established a veterans club where none had existed, mentored the club president (who was named outstanding club president last year), assisted in getting the club an elevated designation and space for vets to hang out, worked with College Administration that resulted in a Veterans Task Force focused on providing the support vets need to adjust to college and is now setting up a mentoring program for veterans.
In addition, he has set up web and blog sites for veterans across the world to communicate with FLC vets and each other about college issues. Further, he has marketed FLC in a variety of venues as a college of choice for veterans returning to school on the new GI Bill. This has resulted in 19 new vets entering FLC this fall. Prior to this we had a total of 28 to 32 registered at the college over the past few years. This is a very significant increase with more increases expected.
This was all accomplished with a college administration that initially was reluctant to commit resources to assist and recruit veterans. To say what Tom accomplished was significant greatly understates his achievements.
Tom is a unique contributor. He brings organization skills, a drive that will not accept “No” for an answer and a creativity at working around barriers that I have not seen before. He is one of the most effective professionals in our organization that includes doctors, scientists, lawyers, educators and business people. He demonstrates excellent assessment/evaluation skills, works well with students (he is currently helping the Business Club and its president) and is fun to be with. I have enjoyed working with Tom and look forward to continuing our relationship.
H. Creswell Fleming, Ph.D.
PO Box 2423
Durango, CO 81302-2423
970-375-2404
____________________________________________________________________________________________
From Todd Ullom; Principal of Innovation Builder, LLC, Palm Beach, Florida…
I have known Tom Hayes since 1992. I first met Tom when I was president of a homebuilding company in Atlanta. Tom consulted with our company for 3 years where he essentially operated as our VP of marketing. Tom was responsible for developing our customer experience which included targeted marketing programs for potential buyers, outreach programs for the real estate broker community, homebuyer education programs and homeowner warranty programs. Through this process, I found Tom to be on the leading edge thinker on strategic marketing programs within the homebuilding industry. Throughout the 1990’s I continued to rely on Tom’s skills to provide strategic marketing assistance with the FAST Management Group, the leading management information system for large homebuilders. Tom developed an ongoing relationship marketing program that became the cornerstone of FAST’s sales growth where we captured nearly 50% of the top 400 homebuilders. Over the last 3 years, I have continued to rely on Tom as a key advisor on homebuilding related projects which included projects with Martha Stewart Omnimedia and Polo Ralph Lauren.
In the time that I have known Tom, I have found him to continually be ahead of the curve when it comes to marketing trends. More importantly, I have found Tom to be a person of uncompromising integrity who has always focused on doing the right thing for his clients. I am pleased to say that Tom has also become a great friend that I can always count on as well. Please do not hesitate to call me if you require additional information. You can reach me at 561-779-3395.
Todd Ullom
Principal
Innovation Builder, LLC
Palm Beach, FL
_________________________________________________________________
Cliff Running, President Castlewood Homes in Seattle Washington…
I know Tom very well…I hired him out of California to head run the Pacific N.W. Division of Castlewood Homes in Seattle…and he did that very successfully…subsequently after that… I ran into financial problems…he helped me with a work out…. program
Tom is……Let me be blunt…..Tom is probably…. one of the smartest individuals I’ve ever known… when it comes to Real Estate and helping a young company become a great construction company!……
He can put the strategic plans together….as long as the owners will follow it…they will be extremely successful……Tom is brilliant!…Let me just be blunt about that…he’s probably the smartest man I’ve ever known in when it come to Real estate and construction!
As a consultant he … would be the best person that you could ever (ever / ever / ever) hire…to that extent…. should anybody have any questions….or should like to talk to me regarding Tom….call me at 206-920-8222
Cliff Running
CEO
Castlewood Homes
Seattle, Washington
_________________________________________________________________
From Rich Tamura, Principal of Market Watch, LLC, Irvine, CA…
Through the many years I have known Tom, since the mid 70s, worked with him on different assignments, observed the results of his great skills on others. I have gained the highest regard for his integrity, industry knowledge, and persistence in finding better solutions. He’s a problem solver, trouble shooter, and has demonstrated many times his great abilities in turning around underperforming companies and projects. He is a caring person who will work tirelessly on your behalf.
Most recently Tom provided assistance to our marketing program at Playa Vista, a 6,500 unit “new urban” residential community in Los Angeles, where I was working as Director of Marketing. Playa Vista is a very complex project that took more than 20 years to plan and to acquire approvals. Interest in the project was very high and there was a growing list of people who wanted information regarding the project during the planning process. Tom helped us clarify our messages and structure a Relationship Marketing information system that included direct mail and e-mail to keep these people up-to-date with accurate information. The interest list grew to more than 30,000 names, and the sales of new homes have now successfully commenced.
I had previously involved Tom on one of my projects in the San Francisco Bay area. It was a prestige development of $500,000 plus “new urban” homes who’s developer needed a similar prospect outreach program. The program Tom created and helped implement was so successful they had former customers and previously interested prospects camped out in cars for two days waiting for the first phase to be released. It subsequently sold out before it was ever released to the general public. There are other similar situations where Tom has provided invaluable assistance and advice.
Tom is a student of our business and a strategic thinker. He has shown time and time again his great ability to adapt to any market and develop a wide range of programs within the single-family as well as multi-family residential building industry that have been innovative, cost-effective, and successful.
Please feel free to contact me if I can provide additional information.
Sincerely,
Richard K. Tamura
Principal
Market Watch LLC.
Real Estate Advisers
714-838-6732
_________________________________________________________________
From Jerry Diddy JD, President of Sun Mountain Development in Wickenburg, AZ…
I have known Tom Hayes since circa 1982 and worked with him extensively over the years. Tom has provided experienced insight into real estate marketing issues as well as operational/management advice that proved invaluable. When I first utilized the services of Tom it was when I was President of a large real estate development and financing firm operating in 6 states. We had a portfolio of approximately $1 billion in development activity and needed a “hands-on” consultant to help organize the operational entity and assist in a marketing program. With the extensive help of Tom Hayes an incentive program was devised and implemented for partners and staff resulting in extraordinary sales and profits over a 4 year period. Tom was also a key adviser in many management decisions just because of his extensive exposure in real estate transactions. When I wanted a quick “read” prior to making a final decision I would many times call Tom to critique my contemplated actions; I usually went with the advice Tom offered.
I later started my own real estate development firm in a partnership with a NYSE company and capitalized the firm with $50 million. Again, Tom was often my “silent partner” in many key marketing and management decisions. His approach is always practical rather than theoretical and provided without seeking coverage (or publicity) for himself or hedging his answers so much they become useless. I have never found Tom afraid to say he was wrong; but when he did he would work diligently to correct the situation.
I always found Tom ready to work without ceremony (24/7) and he was quite content to be “second” without recognition. In fact, this is one of the reasons he was excellent to retain – he made me look good – knowing the client may not even know of his involvement. He does not seek the limelight.
I would be happy to discuss the contents of this memo or other aspects of my association with Tom Hayes. I would without hesitation utilize Tom for any real estate issues I might face.
Jerry Diddy
CEO
Sun Mountain Development
Wickenburg, AZ
JDiddy@SunMountainAZ.com
Tel: 602-402-6655
_________________________________________________________________
From John Hazeltine; former President, Genstar Housing Partners…
Tom was a Vice President of Genstar Housing Partners in approximately 1977-1979 and reported to me. We were an equity investment company doing general partnership joint ventures with major residential developers and merchant homebuilders in the Southern California marketplace. We were the equity partner in some of the largest condominium as well as large residential development projects done in California at that time. These were particularly risky investments as Genstar had the ultimate deep-pocket financial risk on all financing and bonding. It took very careful underwriting and oversight management to make sure project goals and objectives were met and Genstar’s interests were protected.
I originally recruited Tom to drive our new business development origination, underwriting and marketing management activates and manage the effective turnaround of several under performing investments. Tom’s broad background in the residential development business as well as underperforming project turnaround experience made him a key addition to our growth oriented team. Tom was especially valuable in predicting potential financial weaknesses in projects and recommending corrective action.
Due, in part, to Toms deal origination, underwriting and marketing oversight abilities we were able to expand our operations throughout the Pacific Northwest. I recall Tom was particularly successful in negotiating the dissolution of one troublesome partnership and return of all of Genstar’s investment without any loss to Genstar. We were a very successful company and enjoyed the highest rating among all of Genstar’s diverse companies with respect to return on investment. Tom was ultimately promoted to manage our western division. He left later to start a development company with another Genstar Housing Partners Vice President.
I had the opportunity to recruit Tom again several years later to replace me as President of Real Estate Venture Services another equity investment company owned by partners of a national Savings and Loan consulting firm, MCS Associates. Tom’s problem solving and problem avoidance expertise were key to his activities in the successful turn-around of several struggling residential partnerships at the early stages of the Savings and Loan crises. Tom’s abilities were again key to assisting some of MCS’s Savings and Loan clients deal with their troubled loans and later evolved into a consulting practice assisting Federal Regulators through out the Savings and Loan crises of the 1980’s.
I have the highest regards for Tom’s abilities and would feel comfortable in recommending him to anyone involved in the residential real estate business.
John Hazeltine
Former President
Genstar Housing Partners
_________________________________________________________________
From Richard Knee PhD, former President of Broward Savings and Loan…
I have known Tom over 20 years. I have world of respect for Tom… I had 25 years in banking and finance most with troubled debt restructuring as it related to large real estate work outs and it is in that area that I know Tom professionally. Tom is a workout specialist – a marketing guru and a dynamic strategic planner.
Tom worked with Dr. James Croft, as did I, who was a FHLBB (Federal Home Loan Bank Board) President and FHLMC (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) EVP – very high Federal positions in the world of finance – During the S & L crises Tom was the man that wrote the strategic plan to start the new venture, bail out the old one, build the new team, sell the un sellable and so it goes.
I have known him as a personal friend through thick and thin… he is a man of integrity! He tells it like it is even if it cost him. I can’t imagine him not being invaluable to any company – he is a powerful tool if used appropriately. .
As you can see from the above I have the highest regard for him as a professional and as a long term friend. I have lots of insight for you or your client should you wish to call me for additional information – don’t mind at all.
COMMUNITY REFERENCES:
From Mary Barter, local Superintendent of Schools…
I know Tom Hayes through his role as president of the EXCEL Charter School board of education during a very tumultuous time. Tom took on the chairmanship knowing that the school had many severe problem areas that needed to be addressed, including the level of student achievement, a contentious staff, and parents and board members divided in their vision for the school. He intended to tackle these issues through early development of a request for charter renewal but soon discovered that organizational issues made it impossible to continue with this task.
The board terminated its former administrator and hired a new administrator with the background and energy to tackle the instructional issues. Under Tom’s leadership the board also adopted policy governance and wrote operational policies to help redirect the governance work. Tom used his experience and expertise to identify and initiate all of the strategic actions necessary to get the school back on course. Tom and another board member worked closely with the new EXCEL administrator and the school district to reforge an effective working relationship and to gain support in the efforts to get the school back on track.
Divisions between board, staff, parents, and the school’s new administrator were intractable, however, and student enrollment for the 2003-04 year looked as though it would drop precipitously, leaving the school with insufficient funding. The entire EXCEL board, including Tom, eventually resigned in frustration over the continuing divisiveness. A temporary board assumed the elected board’s place and the school district gave that board formal notice of deficiencies that needed correction in order for the school to re-open in 2003-04. I believe that it was only the threat of closing the school that caused the groups to come back together sufficiently to do the work to convince the district to give the school another year to get its act together.
There is little doubt in my mind that the school would not have survived even last year without Tom’s strategic leadership and Herculean efforts to keep it on track. Everything that he had tried to get the staff, parents, and board to do had to be done to keep the school open even one more year – and still has to be done for the district to renew the charter. EXCEL simply reached a point where only a grave outside threat would bring its constituents together. Tom knew this and used this knowledge to gain the school another year. I believe that the resignation of the board was planned to bring the seriousness of the situation home.
In sum, Tom displayed strong leadership and facilitation skills but simply could not overcome the organizational issues that had developed at EXCEL without the extraordinary action of a full board resignation. Frankly, I don’t think anyone could have done it, given the situation. I was greatly impressed with Tom’s demonstrated capabilities during this most difficult situation and would recommend him to you as a consultant in organizational change.
Dr. Mary F. Barter
Superintendent of Schools
Durango School District 9-R
201 East Twelfth Street
Durango CO 81301
(970) 247-5411 ext. 1448
mbarter@durango.k12.co.us
From Kay James, local business owner…
My association with Tom Hayes began with his and his employer’s interest in purchasing my revegetation company in July/August of 2003. As it turned out, Tom carried most of the burden of the negotiations and proved to be a fine facilitator and extremely well organized and knowledgeable. What impressed me most was his beginning and constant declaration, that the sale had to be a win/win situation for all involved. He kept that focus and did not let details of negotiations derail that motive. The sale was harmoniously concluded on November 1, 2003, to the satisfaction of all parties.
Tom worked through a difficult office personnel conflict at his present place of employment with admirable self-restraint and patience. He is indeed a “team player” and works for the good of the project or organization he represents. All I know about his stint on the Excel School Board, was his desire to help the floundering school and his frustration with the other parents and educators involved. He finally resigned his position, as I believe did the rest of the board he served with. As a former member of the District 9-R School Board, I would have really welcomed an individual with Tom’s abilities and honesty in the administration and certainly on the school board.
Tom’s organizational and business talents may be underutilized in his present position. He is a negotiator and a diplomat who recognizes his own talents but at the same time humbly acknowledges both positive and negative qualities in others.
Kay James
Former Owner
James Ranches Landscaping
beef@jamesranch.net
970-247-8652
From Liz James, former EXCEL School Board member…
I am glad to offer a reference for Tom Hayes. I served on the EXCEL School Board with Tom during school year 2002-2003. Tom served with a passion for education and displayed a high level of commitment and drive to move the school forward in the best interest of all the students.
Some of the qualities I observed in Tom:
Tom’s marketing skills are most impressive: he single-handedly developed and implemented a highly effective marketing plan that grew the school by 44% over the summer of 2002.
Tom is a highly organized person with great analytical abilities – he looks at problems as “potential areas of improvement” then applies himself diligently to finding creative, win/win solutions for all involved. For example, when Tom joined the board of EXCEL, the school was having what you might call an identity crisis – no one was quite sure who we were or where we were going. One of the first steps Tom took on the board was to get us to pull together and develop a clear vision of where we were headed; he then facilitated comprehensive planning and a timeline for getting us there. Not only is Tom very detail oriented, he also possesses the ability to simultaneously maintain focus on the big picture or, in his own words, “to keep the main thing the main thing.” Even under extreme duress, Tom displayed the ability to prioritize and then stick with the plan while adapting as needed.
As board president, Tom was very effective in guiding us forward and due to his leadership, we accomplished a great deal in one year. For instance, we instituted a formal governance process, obtained board training in the new governance model, developed written bylaws and school policies which had not been in place prior to our board’s tenure.
Another accomplishment Tom is to be credited with is the restoration of relations between EXCEL’s board and their chartering agency, Durango School District 9R. The relationship between EXCEL and 9R had become somewhat antagonistic and distrustful under previous board leadership. Tom dealt with this immediately and in a very positive and forthright manner. He began by initiating frequent, one-on-one contact with the 9R superintendent and various department heads, developing rapport and an atmosphere of trust and cooperation. Through his efforts, he turned a perceived enemy into a most valuable ally.
Even though Tom has much business and leadership experience, he continues to hone his skills. He researches leadership/management issues online and is an avid reader. On the EXCEL board, he often shared resources he discovered and promoted professional development.
Personally, I find Tom to be a very decent, caring individual. It was a privilege to work with him and I would not hesitate to recommend him as a marketing consultant for your clients.
Liz James
Former Board Member
lizjames@gobrainstorm.net
970-385-6723
From Ben McGill, local labor attorney and former EXCEL School Board member…
My experience with Tom has been primarily related to his service on the Board of Directors of EXCEL Charter School here in Durango. Tom came onto the Board during a very difficult transitional period for the school and brought a lot of energy and ideas to the table. He was instrumental in preparing and implementing a marketing plan that, in all likelihood, saved the school. Thereafter, he stepped into the President’s position and directed the school through a controversial period when it took considerable talent in crisis management (about one a week) and problem solving with our community from Tom in order to keep the ship afloat. Tom is a leader by nature and experience and
goes at everything with full commitment. He is creative, open and caring.
The only criticism I can come up with regarding Tom is that he is aggressive in asserting his opinions and this can put off some people who want to bicker over small points or who want to have multiple committees review every decision. Tom is impatient with dithering and bureaucracy and wants to get things done. In my view, if the task is marketing, Tom will deliver outstanding advice and guidance and will be a source of excellent ideas for your clients.
Ben McGill
Labor Attorney
Former Board Member
EXCEL Charter School
970.259.7396
From Laura Webb PhD, Director of local community college and former member of EXCEL Charter School Board…
My association with Tom Hayes was through our mutual participation on the Excel Charter School Board. I worked with Tom on that Board for approximately 9 months. During part of the time, Tom served as President of the Board. I found him to be bright and able to easily grasp the educational and other issues facing the Board. He worked well with other Board members. During my sojourn on the Board, the Board sought to implement a new form of Board governance which significantly changed the role of the Board. There was a great deal of controversy regarding the implementation, but I found Tom willing to listen to all sides on all issues.
He was always hard working and dedicated, willing to spend long (late) hours working to achieve the goals and tasks of the Board.
He is not afraid of confrontation and always dealt with others in an honest and frank manner.
I found him pleasant to work with, willing to learn, able to admit mistakes, and with a good sense of humor.
He has been approved to teach Business classes for Pueblo Community College Southwest Center as an adjunct faculty, however, at this time we do not have sufficient offerings to use his services. I would certainly recommend him.
Laura P. Webb, Ph.D.
Director, Pueblo Community College
Southwest Center-Durango
701 Camino del Rio Suite 100
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 247-2929
From Trent Peterson, former President of EXCEL Charter School Board…
I came to know Tom Hayes through a mutual affiliation with the EXCEL Charter School board of directors. Tom was appointed to the Board while I was board president to fill a vacancy left by another member who departed mid term. He was subsequently elected to fill the same seat in an open election.
Tom was an attractive board candidate initially because of his background in marketing, and he came at a critical time in the life of the school. Enrollment was dropping, and as it turned out, by year end, the return rate of current students was less than 50%. Tom presented a marketing plan to the Board and drove a carefully targeted marketing campaign which more than regained prior year enrollment numbers.
At the same time, the school was in trouble because of declining academic performance, the principal was being replaced, and the Board was sharply divided over philosophical viewpoints. Over the next several months, Tom’s critical thinking, strategic, and leadership skills became more apparent and he eventually took over the board presidency when I stepped down. Three dissenting board members had also just resigned, and Tom was able to recruit and groom new members and establish a tight, effective board.
Tom worked closely with the new principal and restored solid and respectful working relations with the school district central administration – a relationship that had eroded badly during the tenure of the previous principal. He also worked diligently to attempt to gain cohesiveness between various splinter groups of parents and staff. Eventually the entire board resigned in frustration, but in fulfillment of his duties Tom made certain an interim board was appointed. By that time, Tom’s careful strategic efforts had exposed many of the school’s shortcomings and identified corrective measures, and the replacement board finally had to deal with the same set of problems they had so vehemently denied and categorically ignored. It took a threat of closure from the district to trigger the necessary actions, but I have no doubt it was Tom’s work that catapulted the new board into recognizing and carrying out its mandate.
In the end, the school survived. There are plenty of other people who would love to take the credit, but I am certain the school would have been closed if it had not been for Tom’s leadership skills, critical skills, strategic thinking, and facilitation. I think highly of him, both personally and professionally.
Please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or Email if you have any questions. My opinions are from the standpoint of a person who has served on numerous boards and is the president of two successful companies.
Sincerely,
Trent Peterson
970-259-2416
trent_p@frontier.net
If you have any questions Contact Me.
