Tom Brinegar - PEAK Resources
Leader to Learn From: September 2022
September 7, 2022
In 1994, Tom Brinegar become a part-owner and the chief financial officer of PEAK Resources (Denver, CO). Since then, his company has become the most awarded technology solutions provider in the Rocky Mountain Region.
Outside of work, Tom is a relentless community volunteer, serving on multiple nonprofit boards and giving to countless charitable causes that align with his greatest passions.
“I first met Tom through serving on a nonprofit board at Spark the Change Colorado,” said Margie Thirlby, founder of The Thirlby Company. “I was immediately impressed by his leadership presence, inclusive energy, and distinct ability to lead by example as a board member. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the breadth of Tom’s impact to the community, ranging from the Denver Metro Chamber to efforts in the Western Slope of Colorado. Tom is a leader who simply makes business better, and life a lot brighter for everyone he meets.”
OUR INTERVIEW WITH TOM
You founded your company (PEAK Resources) in 1991, which has become the most awarded technology solutions provider in the Rocky Mountain Region. What have been the most critical drivers of your success?
I would overwhelmingly say our employees. Although the team has changed over the years, we have consistently been able to recruit and retain top talent. I believe we give people the opportunity to create their own success and have a material impact on PEAK’s business. We also create an environment where our team can make a meaningful change in our community.
Secondly, we have been extremely resilient. We incorporated during the Gulf War, we emerged from the dot com bubble, survived the Great Recession and are coming out of COVID-19 stronger than ever. We employed different strategies through each of these economic downturns and I am very proud that we were able to keep our entire team intact during COVID-19.
Speaking of teams and COVID-19, what is the greatest lesson you’ve learned over the past few years about managing people?
Managing people is the hardest thing we do as leaders and entrepreneurs. We don’t have backgrounds in managing people so we have to learn from our experiences. The greatest lesson I’ve learned over the past few years is that everyone is not motivated by the same goals. I think the only way to truly understand others and gain their buy-in is by building a real personal relationship with your team and extended team. This requires intentional, sustained and consistent communication.
One of your greatest leadership qualities (in our humble opinion) is being an outstanding community volunteer. What tips would you give to someone who wants to serve a board role or develop their skills as a volunteer?
Take time to find your true passion and then go all in. I don’t believe in committing to an organization unless I am truly passionate about their mission. I also believe that you can’t give anything less than 100 percent effort to truly have an impact. I also think you have to be willing to learn and grow from the experience.
How would you define confidence?
I think confidence gets confused with arrogance. I am constantly reminding myself to lead from a place of humility, which fuels confidence. I believe this is an area where I have such great room to grow.
How would you define your mission or purpose in life?
My deep passion is to make a difference for kids in Colorado. I grew up on the Western Slope and there were so many people that helped me to become successful. I would like to pay this forward with as much positive influence as possible.
What is your greatest superpower as a leader?
Connecting the dots. Whether through purpose or people, I think I have a unique quality of being able to make consequential connections. I believe this comes from listening and learning. Knowing what is truly driving a person or organization gives you the ability to better understand how you can have a positive impact on getting them down the road.
What is something that might surprise people about you?
I was extremely shy as a kid!
What have you learned about vulnerability, in the context of leadership?
This is an area I have struggled with in my leadership journey. I think vulnerability is one of the key ingredients in being an effective leader. From my background, vulnerability was considered a weakness so my first instinct is to turn this off. I don’t think you can really understand others unless you practice vulnerability.
What advice would you have for someone who is struggling or feeling stuck right now in their life or career?
Completely change your routine. Take risk and commit to exploration of who you are and what you are truly passionate about.
What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
I don’t think I took advantage of all the opportunities that were available to me. I would tell my younger self to lean into discomfort and take a lot more risk.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
One of my biggest regrets as a young person was that I didn’t take advantage of all the opportunities that were given to me. I should have participated in leadership programs. I should have studied abroad - I could give many more examples. I am not willing to pass on the next adventure!
About Tom Brinegar
Tom Brinegar is the Chief Financial Officer for PEAK Resources, Inc. and is responsible for management of all financial, administrative and operational functions at PEAK.
PEAK is an elite systems integrator and technology solutions provider focused on the modern Enterprise Data Center and contemporary technology consumption models. PEAK provides innovative technologists who help enterprise and government clients align business drivers to solutions and services built on products from the world’s leading technology companies
Tom has been employed and a part-owner of PEAK since January 1, 1994. Prior to that time, he was employed at Capital Associates International in Boulder and Lakewood, CO holding a variety of positions including public and private equity syndications, fund management and contracts. He was employed at Capital Associates International from October 1987 to December 1993.
Tom attended the University of Colorado, Boulder where he received a Bachelor in Science in Finance. He was born in Colorado and graduated high school from Grand Junction High School.
Outside of work, Tom is an alumnus of three Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation programs, including Leadership Denver, Colorado Experience, and Access Denver. He is the Board Chair for B:CIVIC. Additionally, Tom serves on the Board of Directors of Colorado Succeeds, Denver Metro Leadership Foundation, and Playworks Colorado. He also serves as a Board Emeritus of PEBC (Public Education Business Coalition), and a Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Charter School Institute, as re-appointed by Governor Jared Polis.
About This Feature
Leaders to Learn From is a standing feature in The Thirlby Company’s monthly newsletter that recognizes leaders in our community who embody our company’s core values. You can learn about our other honorees here, or subscribe to our newsletter to receive this feature and more inspiring content in the future.
