GET TO KNOW: Tom Stewart
General Manager/Director of Operations, Big Man Development, Inc.
Tom was born and raised in Azle, TX. He graduated from Azle High School. During his junior year, he enlisted in the US Navy. That summer he attended Boot Camp in San Diego, CA. After Boot Camp he returned to high school and drilled at the Navel Reserve Center in Grand Prairie, TX. After completing high school, he went active and became a Navel “Seabee”. After completing electronics training in Orlando, CA. his secondary training was in Gulf Port, MS.
Completing his enlistment commitment he hired on with General Dynamics now known as Lockheed Martin. There he was an aviation electrician, responsible for wiring systems on the forward fuselage of the F-16’s. These planes were designed for the US, Israel, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. While there, he gained his secret clearance and worked on the proto-type F-22 (the flying wing). After a 9 year stay and a decline in the defense industry a change was in store.
In the early 1990’s, he tried his hand in the Telecom industry working for GTE in the customer service center. He achieved top 5 in sales for the center covering TX, NM, and OK. During this job, he met a man who later became his best friend, Steve Erlanson. Steve was in the chemical sells business and suggested giving it a try. Not knowing anything about chemical sales he asked Steve what was entailed. Steve stated, “I sell SOAP to car washes.” Tom’s first thought was “I’m not going to sell Amway!” He finally spent an entire day with Steve visiting several washes. HE WAS HOOKED!
In 1993, he started with Blue Coral working with Steve learning the business. Working together, they developed a territory of 2.3 million dollars in only 2 years. Tom was later promoted to Tech Services. This position required him to travel the entire country training reps and distributors on how to setup chemicals on just about every tunnel, self serve, automatic, and everything in between. From there he was promoted to regional manager over TN, AR, and KY which resulted in his move to Nashville, TN. Not to long into this position he was offered a (sweat equity) position back in Dallas.
In 1999, he took the offer and moved his family back to Dallas. The goal for this partnership was to grow the business. Starting with 5 washes and 2 men he started the process of buying old tired washes, remodeling them, and doubled and sometimes tripled their revenues. Within a 6 year period of time it grew to 21 washes and 135 bays. In 2006, after a fall out with Tom’s partner who reneged on the sweat equity, Tom left the company and joined his long time friend, Wes Dawson in Big Man Development.
Tom has been married to his wife Lisa for 15 years and has four sons Ryan, Robert, Stetson, and Luke.
