My name is Tom Latourette and I recently joined the Building Leaders' team in February of 2008 as the VP of Sales and Marketing.

I've had the pleasure to work closely with Rick Davis since 2001. He's been an incredible mentor for me as I grew in my career. His education, guidance and input helped me achieve a high level of success and personal power in the many positions I held. He also became a close friend. So, when he asked me to come on board and lend some of my experience to his marketing and sales efforts, it was a “no-brainer.”

I've been a Building Materials "lifer," spending my entire career in this great industry with the last 15 years at SBR Inc. (a holding company for Simonton Windows and Fypon, Ltd). I've grown in my career, as a Window Expeditor for Alside Supply fresh out of college, then beginning with Simonton Windows as a salesperson, progressing into sales management, moving onto corporate VP of Marketing, and finally as Fypon's VP of Sales.

In December of 2007, I left to spend less time traveling and more time at home (Rolling Meadows, IL) with my wife Lucy (18 years of marriage) and 2 young girls – Claire, age 12 and Christine, age 9. I'm a life-long suffering Chicago White Sox fan (attended the Podsednik walk-off World Series game) who enjoys golf (a 20 handicap), tennis (4.0-4.5 with a wicked serve), and racquetball. I love music even though I don't play anything and I'm an avid reader. I'm on book #349 in a quest I started on my 28th birthday to read 1,000 books before I die.

If you have any ideas, comments, book recommendations or advice please feel free to give me a call on my cell phone (847) 528-2738 or e-mail me – tom@buildingleaders.com.