Mr. Preston is a renowned leader in business issues, crisis management, public relations, security threats, and C-Suite counsel. He brings numerous decades of consequential experience to the vanguard of corporations, government entities, significant institutions, and professional service firms.
As Founder/CEO of Preston Global his eclectic career has prevented, mitigated, and positively resolved crises and emergencies for a broad spectrum of high-profile clients. Mr. Preston’s expertise, experience, guidance, and visionary assets have assisted major corporations, colleges and universities, healthcare institutions, independent advisory firms, key officials representing states as well as the U.S. government.
Unique involvements created deep knowledge regarding problem avoidance, reputation buttressing, crisis intervention (including counterterrorism), crucial messaging, governance implementation, public outreach, project management, and operational training.
A University of Kentucky AB journalism degree preceded studies in the science of foreseeability and propaganda at the University of Washington graduate school. Years later, he completed the first National Security Program at the prestigious U.S. Army War College. Additional military education includes The Army Armor Officers course plus chemical, biological, and radiological Warfare taught by the U.S. Army. Each led to future integration of national security tactics into private sector risk management strategies.
In recognition of personal achievements, Mr. Preston has received multiple careers, leadership, military, and athletic awards. The O’Dwyer rating journal recognized him for achieving triple status as one of the 10 Top Strategic Counseling, Hot Issue, and Crisis Management firms in the U.S. Acknowledged by Marquis Who’s Who in America, he also was among the Public Relations Society of America’s first elected College of Fellows class.
Other validations embrace the title, Public Relations Professional (APR), as well as an earned rating, PRSA Counselor. Equal credentials were bestowed by the Florida Public Relations Association. PRO CHALLENGE text has cited Tom as one of the world’s top PR counselors. He also earned membership in the University of Kentucky Hall of Distinguished Alumni as well as documentation by the International Association of Counterterrorism Professionals.
Known for memorable training skills, students, executives, first responders, in-house crisis control teams, and practicing communicators join his academic courses and single-day seminars. Presentations are germane to attendees’ diverse occupations. For instance, always originating, one of his innovations exemplifies the ancient Greek practices stressing Heuristic Education or “self-discovery.” Another creation, “superior anticipation via specialized foreseeability,” spawns planned advantages over victim adversaries. Militarily, Tom’s orders intensified unexpectedly. Calling himself a “green, wet-behind-the-ears 2nd Lt.”, he acquired command of a 347-man unit, normally the responsibility of higher-ranking officers. Almost instantly, additional duties commenced necessarily. Higher orders surged.
“Attend Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Warfare School.” 2. “Establish, then train a proficient CBR combat team.” 3. “Interdict Red Chinese Chairman, Mao Zedong’s agents now starting to infiltrate the northwest.” With hidden nuclear matter, saboteurs had slipped through Pacific ports to destroy military and civilian facilities with “dirty bombs.” Mao’s team failed.
Later, upon recall to active duty, then 1st. Lt. Preston, received similar orders. “Disrupt Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschev’s assassins targeting American troops in Turkey and elsewhere.” Both operations reinforced certainty about America’s exposure. Subsequent transnational terrorism would result in devastating attacks against commerce, too. This foresight proved correct.
Reassuming civilian life, he increased his firm’s focus, resources, and intelligence capabilities. Five months before 09-11, he issued public warnings: “Before year’s end, same day, concurrent attacks will strike government and civilian targets.” Such premonitions fell on deaf ears . . . until that fateful day. Doubters rapidly changed their attitude. Tom was besieged by prior skeptics.
Despite seldom-matched years of continuing work, Mr. Preston remains fully devoted to refining institutional decision-making while guarding reputations as well as brands. Helping, mentoring, and protecting others’ best interests define his approach to Board service. You might ask why.
The salient reason should be clear. Sustainability for essential organizations remains hampered because rapid societal and political changes demand greater attention – noteworthy oversight, he insists. Minus this asset, governance stays seriously challenged unlike anything previous.
Mr. Preston is driven by how future generations will fare.
