“I help others to achieve their goals.”
Tom Gill is a transformative technology and real estate executive with over 44 years of professional experience, leading innovation across IT, networks, and operations before transitioning into high-performance real estate sales. As a recognized CIO and current Realtor, Tom blends strategic vision, technological fluency, and people-centered leadership. His motto—”I help others to achieve their goals”—has shaped his professional philosophy and enduring impact on teams, clients, and communities alike.
Throughout his 16-year tenure at Plantronics (now part of HP), Tom rose to the role of Vice President and CIO, where he was instrumental in transforming IT from a traditional cost center into a value-driving hub of innovation. Under his leadership, Plantronics tripled its revenue and expanded into new markets, marking a period of exponential growth and operational excellence. Tom’s initiatives—ranging from implementing global cloud platforms to establishing project portfolio governance—demonstrated his acute strategic acumen and commitment to enterprise value creation.
Tom’s influence extended beyond technology. He fostered a culture of collaboration and agility, improving innovation cycle times from years to months, and enhanced global workforce connectivity with cutting-edge unified communication tools. His technology implementations significantly reduced conferencing costs and raised customer satisfaction to 88%, showcasing his talent for aligning IT initiatives with real business outcomes.
Before joining Plantronics, Tom built a strong foundation in IT and operational leadership at Bay Networks, Tandem Computers, Syntelligence, and TRW. His experiences across these pioneering technology firms provided him with the adaptability and foresight required to lead during times of rapid technological evolution. Whether managing infrastructure, network services, or customer integration, Tom consistently delivered scalable, secure, and cost-efficient systems.
After taking early retirement from the tech world, Tom redirected his passion and energy into real estate—a long-held personal interest. He now thrives as a Realtor with Epique Realty and the Santa Cruz Real Estate Team, offering a concierge-level service across Santa Cruz County and the greater Bay Area. Tom’s unique ability to merge data-driven insight with a human-first approach has earned him a reputation for trust, reliability, and success in this new chapter of his career.
Tom is also a committed public speaker and thought leader. During his time at Plantronics, he frequently spoke at global events and internal engagements, inspiring technical and business audiences alike. His deep understanding of enterprise technology, combined with his storytelling ability, made him a sought-after voice for transformation narratives and strategic innovation.
Internationally, Tom has engaged with teams and operations in Europe, Asia, Mexico, Singapore, and the UK—bringing a global mindset to every leadership role. Whether modernizing infrastructure across continents or launching new product support models, Tom navigates complexity with clarity and builds bridges across cultures and business units.
Giving back is at the heart of Tom’s mission. He serves on the board of Housing Matters and has held board roles with the Santa Cruz County Business Council, Sutter Health/PAMF, and Crowdmics. These roles reflect his deep commitment to social impact and civic engagement. He’s also a quarterly lecturer at the UCSC Baskin School of Engineering’s TIM program, where he mentors the next generation of tech leaders.
Outside of work, Tom’s passions include music, guitar, winemaking, volunteering, and spending time with family. These interests speak to his creativity, his values of community and generosity, and his lifelong dedication to learning and growing in both personal and professional realms.
Character:
Tom embodies integrity, humility, and purpose. He consistently places others’ success at the heart of his own goals and thrives in collaborative, values-driven environments.
Knowledge:
With over four decades of expertise spanning IT, operations, strategy, and real estate, Tom is a cross-functional expert who understands both the technical and human sides of business transformation.
Strategic:
Tom is a visionary leader with a record of aligning technology and operations to enterprise-wide growth strategies. His ability to see the big picture while optimizing the details is unparalleled.
Communication:
From boardrooms to global lectures, Tom communicates with clarity, empathy, and influence. His storytelling skills inspire action and build trust across all stakeholders.
