Tom Richards, is a retired Marine and small business owner/business consultant. Born and raised in Wisconsin, Tom enlisted in the Marines in 1967. He served as an infantry Marine in Vietnam, where he earned the Navy Cross for valor in combat and Purple Heart for his wounds. Thereafter, he served as a drill instructor at MCRD, San Diego and then attended Palomar Community college, after which he attended OCS and received his commission as a second lieutenant.
As an officer, Tom served four tours in infantry units in progressively higher positions and also served in staff positions from battalion to division levels. He also served twice on recruiting duty, in Pittsburgh, PA and Lansing, MI; was an instructor at Marine Corps Command and Staff College; and as the Head, Historical Branch, Marine Corps History and Museums division of Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history while on active duty.
Since retiring in September, 1995, Tom has earned his certificate in Internet Publishing from UCSD extension as well as a masters of business administration degree from San Diego State University. He is is president of Caliburnus Enterprises, a small company that provides business, project management, strategic planning, leadership development, training and training management, and Internet services (web site hosting, web site development, Internet marketing, Internet connectivity, e-commerce & merchant accounts) and consulting.
Tom is married to the former Diane Hall of Charlottesville, VA and they reside in the Rancho Bernardo community of San Diego. Tom volunteers extensively with veterans,’ patriotic, and other community service organizations, including: serving as a member of the California Veterans Board, to which he was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008; as secretary of the California State Commanders Veterans Council; as a Past National Commander and current California Chapter commander of the Legion of Valor; as commandant of the Bulldog Detachment 835, Marine Corps League; on the board of directors of the San Diego Veterans Museum and Memorial Center; as the Chairperson, San Diego County United Veterans Council; and as a mentor to the San Diego State University Student Veterans Organization; and more.
He maintains a regular physical fitness program, is both a PADI master scuba diver and divemaster, an avid skier, hiker, backpacker, and photographer. He has hiked Mt Whitney six years in a row and in 2004 summited four “fourteeners” in five days.