Tom was born and raised in Wilson, North Carolina, and spent all of his summers at Atlantic Beach — a connection to the coast that remains an important part of his life today.  After graduating from The Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1975, he returned to North Carolina to attend UNC–Chapel Hill, graduating in 1979.  He joined the family insurance business in 1980 and has spent more than four decades helping guide its growth and evolution.

Under Tom’s leadership, John Hackney Agency grew into one of Eastern North Carolina’s most respected independent insurance firms before joining The Alera Group in 2022.  Throughout his career, Tom has remained focused on building long-term client relationships, supporting his employees, and maintaining the agency’s reputation for integrity, professionalism, and service.

Tom is quick to credit the agency’s success to the talented team around him. The organization has long been defined by dedicated employees, many of whom have spent their entire careers with the agency helping clients navigate risk management and insurance challenges.

Tom and his wife, the former Susan Page King, met as freshmen at UNC–Chapel Hill and married in 1980. They have two daughters and four grandchildren.  Deeply connected to both Wilson and the North Carolina coast, Tom remains active in the community and enjoys time with family, travel, real estate renovation, reading, cooking, and long walks in Wilson and at the beach.