Tom Schlough '64

Tom Schlough graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud in 1960, attended SJU from 1960 to 1962 and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1965 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He spent two years in the U.S. Army, serving one year in Viet Nam as an Ordnance officer.

Tom joined Park Tool Company in St. Cloud following his military service in 1969. Tom and his wife, Joyce, purchased the company from his parents in 1976. The company, now known as Park Industries, manufactures and markets stone fabricating equipment for customers throughout North America. Park customers manufacture architectural stone products such as granite countertops, stone veneer for residences and business buildings and stone landscape products.

Park Industries expands its product lines and services nearly continuously in response to the ever-changing needs of the globally competitive stone industry. Today it is the largest manufacturer of stone working equipment in North America. Currently, Park customers have over 5,350 machines in operation in over 20 countries. Park revenues have grown from under $1 million in 1976 to $75 million in 2006. Parks website says: The company's Vision is to be a "Benchmark Company in customer and associate satisfaction". What does that mean? Put simply, Park Industries strives to be an example of what a great company should be in the eyes of its customers and associates (employees).

Tom is planning to retire from his current position as President in January 2007 to concentrate on chairman of the board responsibilities and keeping the business in the family. Tom and Joyce have three children ages 31 to 38 who are all involved in the business and three grand children. Their daughter, Chris is a graduate of the CSB, their elder son Mark is a graduate of SJU and son Mike attended St. John's and graduated from the University of Minnesota.