Thomas “Tommy” Kimmes hails from Rochester N.Y. He entered the Army on September 10, 1992, as an Avenger Crewmember. After three years as an Avenger Crewmember, he re-enlisted to be an infantryman and completed both infantryman’s and Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA in 1995. Serving twenty-six years in units such as the 82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Infantry Division, and the 10th Mountain Division (LI), his duty assignments included Team Leader, Squad Leader, Weapons Squad Leader, Noncommissioned Officer Academy Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Operations Sergeant Major.
Tommy attended every leadership school in the infantry field along with other technical schools. He holds a Bachelor of Science (History) degree from Campbell University (Pi Gamma Mu), and Master of Arts (Management and Leadership) degree from Liberty University. He is an expert in, and able to communicate fluently in American Sign Language (ASL).
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, Irish Parachutist Wings, German Parachutist Wings, German Army Marksmanship (Gold), Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion), and Order of Saint George (Bronze).
Tommy is a graduate of the Million Air University’s Initial Leadership Orientation Course for FBO Managers, FAA approved Supervisory Fuel Safety Training in accordance with 14 CFR 139.321 (b)1 through (b)(6) and 139.321 (e)(2), Aviation Hazardous Communications training. He has completed a program of instruction on ATA Specification 103, Standards for Jet Fuel Quality Control at Airports and NFPA 407, 07 Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing.