Today, “I am Hamilton” spotlights Tom Griscom, an alumnus of Brainerd High School. Griscom took his education from Brainerd High to Washington D. C. where he served as director of communications for President Ronald Reagan; and press secretary for Senator Howard Baker. His professional experience includes serving as a senior account executive with Washington-based public affairs firm, Powell-Tate Public Affairs, and executive vice president of external relations of R. J. Reynolds. Griscom also served in Governor Bill Haslam’s administration as part of his transitional team.
Locally, Griscom was executive editor and publisher of the Chattanooga Times Free Press for more than ten years, and he is first holder of the West Chair of Excellence in Communication at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Today, he is a founding partner and chief strategist for Q Strategies.
“I am Hamilton” highlights the contributions of alumni, teachers, parents, students, support workers, and community members in providing opportunities for children in the classrooms of Hamilton County Schools. Better opportunities for children today mean a brighter future filled with possibilities for our graduates, their families, and the community.
“Many people had the assumption that I went to private school, so I made it a point to let people know I was educated in the public schools in Chattanooga and Hamilton County,” said Griscom. “We ought to be willing to share that and be proud of it because when you hire me, you are hiring a lot of people who traveled the same path.”
Griscom is a busy man but not too active to give back to his high school. He has worked with the volunteer group Brainerd Together to spruce up the school for today’s students.
“The young people here today need the same opportunity,” said Griscom. “We all have some kind of connection to public schools. This is the future, and that is why you should take the time to be supportive of public education and give this group of students coming through today the same type opportunities we were afforded when we were in school.”
To nominate someone for “I Am Hamilton,” send an email to
[email protected] with the name of the person you would like to nominate, the school the individual is connected to in Hamilton County Schools, the person’s title, and what makes the individual a valued contributor to Hamilton County Schools. You can nominate a graduate, teacher, parent, student, support worker, community member, or anyone playing a role in a school in the district. Also, include your name, school or location, and title.
Photo: Tom Griscom proudly displays the I Am Hamilton shirt.
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I Am Hamilton series won a 2019 NSPRA Golden Achievement Award for school district communications from the National School Public Relations Association.