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WTA Architects

Tom Reay, AIA, LEED AP

Shannon Vaughn

When did you begin working at WTA Architects?

Tom began in June of 1977. This year will mark 41 years of service to the company.

 

What is your fondest memory while here?

Tom’s fondest memory hasn’t been just one; rather it’s the relationships he’s created over the years with all the different people who have worked here.

 

What are the most memorable projects you’ve worked on while at WTA?

Tom doesn’t have one memorable project. Instead, there are so many aspects of each project that he works on that he truly enjoys. Hence, rather than picking a favorite, he always says his favorite project is the next one.

 

Beginning with high school, what is the history of your education?

Tom attended St. Stephen in Saginaw, where he graduated high school in 1970. He went on the graduate from the University of Michigan College of Architecture with his bachelor’s degree in 1975 and his master’s degree in 1977.

 

What made you want to become an architect?

Tom always enjoyed art, design, drawing and building, so he thought becoming an architect would be fitting for him.

 

What are your family statistics?

Tom’s wife is Sandy and they have a son named Spencer who is 19.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Tom really enjoys music and fine art using the guitar and mixed media in that pursuit.

 

Do you have any pets?

Tom has one cat named Cutie.

 

Where is your favorite place in the world?

Tom has traveled all over and so to pick just one location is very difficult. But when he was younger he backpacked in Italy, and he said Florence has always been one of his favorite cities.

 

If you could meet anyone and hangout with them for day, who would it be?

Tom would see his dad, Ted.

 

What is your definition of success?

To be able to contribute.

 

What is your favorite quote?

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference. – from “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

 

What is your favorite sport?

Tennis

 

What is your favorite team?

University of Michigan

 

Before coming to work at WTA, what were your other jobs?

Throughout high school, Tom worked at the City Dairy on Court Street in Saginaw as a soda jerk. Upon high school graduation, he spent a year working for GM on the line in Saginaw’s Grey Iron Foundry to earn money for college.

 

What is on your wish list for the next 10 years?

To travel to new places and see new things with Sandy.

 

When you’re not at WTA, what are you most likely doing?

Tom is most likely at home. When not traveling, he is normally a homebody.

 

What is the last book you read or the current book you are reading?

Some short stories by Ernest Hemingway.

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