Thomas D. Schubert is a seasoned financial and operational leader whose distinguished career spans more than four decades of transformative impact across diverse industries. Known for his visionary approach, Tom has consistently combined financial acumen with strategic foresight to help organizations not only achieve profitability but also build sustainable growth platforms. His professional journey reflects a rare balance of executive leadership, entrepreneurial drive, and personal commitment to mentoring others and contributing to the communities he serves.
Tom began his career at Ernst & Young, where he rose to the level of Manager while serving prominent clients in both the services and manufacturing sectors. During his tenure, he developed a reputation for precision in financial reporting and insight into operational efficiencies, earning the trust of clients such as CertainTeed Corporation and the Philadelphia 76ers Basketball Club. His work at Ernst & Young laid the foundation for his lifelong ability to blend financial strategy with real-world operational challenges, and his early experience in business development foreshadowed the entrepreneurial mindset he would carry into later roles.
In 1990, Tom joined Chemical Leaman Tank Lines, the nation’s largest bulk chemical logistics company, where he played a vital role in driving revenue growth of more than $120 million and tripling operating profits. As Vice President of Finance, he championed innovative financial practices, including implementing one of the industry’s first activity-based costing systems. This tool provided managers with the data they needed to make smarter decisions about customer segmentation, pricing, and resource allocation, and it exemplified Tom’s lifelong talent for connecting financial insights to business outcomes. His leadership at Chemical Leaman not only streamlined operations but also set a precedent for how financial innovation could fuel organizational transformation.
By 1997, Tom embraced the challenge of building something entirely new as the founding Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of NovaCare Employee Services. This start-up professional employer organization provided outsourced human resources and benefits to small and medium-sized businesses. Under Tom’s guidance, the company launched a successful IPO, raised $50 million, and executed five accretive acquisitions, creating a revenue run rate of $130 million within just two years. Tom’s ability to architect financial and operational structures from scratch, while simultaneously building high-performing teams, proved instrumental in positioning the company for its eventual $98 million sale to Fidelity Investments.
Following this achievement, Tom moved into a nearly two-decade tenure at Progressive Business Publications, a diversified B2B digital marketing and information services company. As Chief Financial and Operating Officer, he partnered with the founder to evolve a small newsletter publisher into an eight-division enterprise with over 100,000 paying customers, including many Fortune 1000 companies. Tom spearheaded the creation of new revenue-generating divisions, from compliance services to digital marketing solutions, while also acquiring and integrating new businesses. His entrepreneurial instincts, combined with his ability to systematize operations, allowed the company to remain profitable and innovative in an increasingly digital economy. This period showcased Tom’s strength as both a builder and a steward of long-term value.
In 2018, Tom became Chief Financial Officer of Stratix Systems, a leading provider of IT managed services and imaging solutions. His tenure has been marked by substantial growth and modernization, with revenues increasing more than 45 percent and operating profit climbing over 80 percent under his financial leadership. He oversaw a $20 million corporate headquarters renovation, expanded regional facilities, and successfully integrated multiple acquisitions. Equally notable was his leadership in generating more than $4 million in federal tax credits and his ability to restructure debt and banking relationships to secure greater borrowing capacity at favorable terms. Tom’s efforts to streamline processes—such as reducing financial close to three days—and renegotiating insurance and HR programs for significant savings further highlight his ability to marry strategic oversight with operational detail.
Tom’s professional accomplishments are matched by his dedication to governance and community service. He has served on nonprofit and university boards for over two decades, including as a long-standing board member and chair for Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania and as a member of Drexel University’s MBA Career Services Advisory Board. These roles reflect not only his leadership expertise but also his belief in giving back, particularly in areas that promote financial literacy, education, and professional development. His board service underscores his commitment to helping organizations—and individuals—realize their full potential.
Educationally, Tom has consistently invested in his own growth as a leader. In addition to earning his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Drexel University, where he attended on an athletic scholarship, he has completed advanced executive programs at Stanford University and the University of Virginia. These programs, focused on leadership and strategy, deepened his ability to think systemically about organizational growth and to implement strategies that are both ambitious and pragmatic.
Beyond the boardroom and executive suite, Tom remains a deeply grounded individual who values fitness, golf, running, and the energy of competitive sports. His enthusiasm for athletics parallels his professional life, where endurance, discipline, and strategy have been the hallmarks of his leadership style. Just as importantly, Tom is a husband, community contributor, and mentor who takes pride in cultivating the success of others. His personal motto—making impactful contributions to profitable growth while giving back—resonates throughout his career and personal life.
As Tom transitions from full-time corporate leadership into advisory and board service roles, he brings with him a wealth of experience, a sharp strategic mind, and a dedication to both results and values. His journey reflects a rare combination of hands-on operational expertise, financial stewardship, and an unwavering belief in the power of organizations to create meaningful impact. For any board or executive team seeking a proven leader with vision, integrity, and energy, Thomas D. Schubert offers unmatched capability.
Character:
Tom’s career has been guided by a strong moral compass, rooted in values of integrity, perseverance, and service. He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to doing what is right for both people and organizations, regardless of the challenges. His personal dedication to community engagement further reflects a character built on generosity and responsibility.
Knowledge:
With over 45 years of experience spanning multiple industries and roles, Tom possesses a breadth and depth of expertise that few executives can match. His mastery of finance, operations, and strategic growth is evident in the measurable results he has achieved for every organization he has served. His continuing education and willingness to adapt to changing business landscapes further underscore his intellectual rigor and professional versatility.
Strategic:
Tom has consistently displayed an ability to look beyond immediate challenges to identify pathways for sustainable growth and transformation. From IPO launches to acquisitions and large-scale integrations, his career demonstrates his skill at crafting and executing strategies that deliver long-term value. His blend of analytical precision and creative vision makes him a uniquely effective strategist in any boardroom.
Communication:
Throughout his career, Tom has excelled at bridging the gap between complex financial data and actionable business insights. He has a proven ability to articulate strategies clearly to boards, executives, employees, and stakeholders alike. His approachable leadership style fosters trust, encourages collaboration, and ensures alignment across all levels of an organization.
