Tom began his career as an animator and director in 1978 at Hanna-Barbera Studios where he was hired to work as an assistant animator on Challenge of the SuperFriends, Godzilla, Scooby Doo, Smurfs, Pacman and the Flintstones.

A short stop at Ruby-Spears had him working on Thundarr the Barbarian (had the privilege to meet and work with Jack Kirby), Heathcliff, Fang Face and Plastic Man. Freelancing at Film Roman he worked on the Garfield Special Babes and Bullets and for Bill Melendez on the Peanuts Special This is America Charlie Brown.

He then moved over to Filmation Studios in 1980, which at this point had become the only animation studio doing animation in the United States, and worked on Tarzan, Flash Gordon, Blackstar, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, Brown Hornet, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, She-Ra Princess of Power, Ghostbusters, Lone Ranger, Zorro, The Kids Super Power Hour with Shazam (Captain Marvel), Hero High and the futuristic Western Bravestarr. He was also involved with many TV commercials such as The Jolly Green Giant, Chevrolet, and the 7 Up Spot campaign.

He then became the timing director on Road Rovers, Disney's Mighty Ducks, PB & J Otter, Duckman, King of the Hill, Savage Dragon, HBO's Happily Ever After Fairy Tales, Extreme Ghostbusters, Extreme Dinosaurs and many more.