Thomas Tryon was the opinion editor and a public-engagement leader for two decades at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where he spent 39 years.

He is a husband, stepdad, grandfather, and friend. Born and raised in Manatee County, he played on Palmetto High School’s only state championship football team. He was his family’s first college graduate, receiving a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1980 from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

A member of Christ Episcopal Church, Tom is on the board of Second Heart Homes, which houses and loves mentally ill homeless people. He was a chairman of Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence and Youth Leadership Sarasota County.

Tom leads The Patterson Foundation’s Higher Waters: Suncoast Quality of Life initiative.

Join Tom on Twitter: @TomTryon

To contact Tom: thomastryonfla@gmail.com