Thomas Powell, Jr.

Editorial Summary

Tom Powell moved to Suffolk with his family as a seven year old boy. His father, Pastor T.A. Powell, was a pastor in Suffolk for more than 27 years. Currently, Tom is an active resident of Suffolk where he and his wife, Wendy, along with their four children reside. Tom is the president and creative director of The Addison Group, a full service marketing and advertising firm located in Downtown Suffolk. Tom is an active member of Nansemond River Baptist Church of North Suffolk. Tom is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. After completing his education, and trying to find his niche in the work force, Tom founded The Addison Group in May 1996 as a graphic design studio. In 2003, The Addison Group became a full-service marketing and advertising agency that gave a new platform for clients such as multi-media, new media, public relations, creative strategies, and brand development. Between 1997 and 2004, Tom and his wife, Wendy, served as volunteer youth directors for Liberty Baptist Church. During their years of service, Tom and Wendy both saw the need for consistency in this age group. During his tenure of eight years, Tom established many community outreach events like Summer Jam that helped to keep teenagers off the street and in a positive environment. Giving back to the community is important to Tom. He is heavily involved in the Suffolk Community as a member of the Downtown Suffolk Rotary Club. Tom also serves as a director for the Center for Hope and New Beginnings which is the homeless shelter for Western Tidewater. Tom is also an active affiliate of the Greater Suffolk Council network. City Council appointed Tom to serve on the committee for the legacy project of Jamestown 2007. The committee nominated and elected Tom as the chairman of the committee. The purpose was to establish a legacy project that celebrated the 400 years of American Heritage. With his leadership, Tom helped to launch the revision of a Suffolk pictorial book co-written by Suffolk native Kermit Hobbs. The legacy project also hosted a national convention, Peanut Pals, one of the largest and most successful conventions in the organization's history.