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Tom Gegax served as Chairman and CEO (head coach) of Tires Plus Stores for twenty-four years. By the time Tom sold the company to Bridgestone/Firestone in July 2000, it had mushroomed from a concept sketched on a restaurant napkin to a market leader with 150 upscale stores in ten states and $200 million in revenue. The company was so well managed and profitable that Tom was able to bypass outside investors and retain ownership control.

Tom was a pioneer of the tough-minded, warm-hearted "coaching" style of management. Tires Plus' healthy corporate culture was legendary for its focus on the well-being of its employees and customers (or, as Tom preferred to call them, teammates and guests). The unique pairing of hard-nosed efficiency and a caring environment was a core ingredient in the company's secret sauce. Tom's comprehensive, no-nonsense management system catapulted Tires Plus to the top in a competitive industry populated by some of the largest companies in the world.

Tom's groundbreaking management methods have been featured in the New York Times and Fast Company magazine, and on CNN, CNBC, and PBS. He was named a 1995 Midwest Entrepreneur of the Year by Inc. magazine and Ernst & Young, and is the youngest person to be inducted into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame. Tom has served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards, including the Center for Ethical Business Cultures.

Tom's first book, Winning in the Game of Life: Self-Coaching Secrets for Success, is a blueprint for creating a productive, well-balanced life. It received critical acclaim from publishing industry bellwethers Publishers Weekly and Booklist, from self-help and spiritual guru, Deepak Chopra, and from national business and political leaders, including Curt Carlson, Founder/Chairman, Carlson Companies, and former vice president of the United States, Walter Mondale.

Tom's The Big Book of Small Business: You Don't Have To Run Your Business By The Seat Of Your Pants is receiving rave reviews from top business leaders across the country, including Ken Blanchard (The One-Minute Manager), Harvey Mackay (Swim with the Sharks) and Richard Schulze, Founder and Chairman of Best Buy. Tom's guide connects the dots between all aspects of a business with unprecedented breadth and depth.

Tom founded Gegax Advisors in 2000 to share his Big Book Management System with growing companies. He crisscrosses the country consulting, conducting seminars, and delivering keynote speeches. His one-on-one executive coaching sessions help business leaders sharpen their management skills.