Tom knew at the age of 16 that metal was his passion.  Starting out as a laborer in a machine shop, he quickly worked his way up to operating CNC machines.  Moving on as a large machine operator at Westinghouse Elevator Company, and while at Westinghouse, he attended and completed night school to learn how to weld.  After months of practice and successfully passing his welding exam, he became a certified welder for the elevator division of the plant.  It was at Westinghouse where Tom found his mentor, Tony Pakulniewicz, and quickly became an apprentice, learning all aspects of the steel fabrication welding process and on his way to becoming a seasoned professional. With other positions operating tractor trailers and construction equipment, it was in 1987 that Tom realized it was time to start his own welding company. Since then, he has successfully established a structural steel erection company - Campbell’s Welding & Machinery, Inc. with 10+ devoted employees.

 

Tom also had a tremendous love for life.  He enjoyed many things - his work, golf, motorcycles, tennis, animals, spending time with his daughter and family - to name a few.  A long-time horseman, Tom also loved western reining and showing horses. Over the past 8 years, he and his wife, Keri, became involved with animal rescue.  They began their quest to save abused/neglected/abandoned animals by rescuing many pets of their own - dogs, cats and horses alike - with their recent rescue in December 2009 of Ducati, a doberman one day away from being euthanized.  Another notable story of rescue was Tom walking a draft horse named Noel approximately 1 mile to his barn in a snow storm, with his wife guiding by car in front and Officer  Jack Dixon follwing in a NJSPCA patrol car. It was this dedication and passion to animal rescue that led Tom to be a fervent supporter and volunteer with the NJSPCA.