Tom Gillis is married to Vicki Harper, blessed with two children and two grandchildren. Tom and Vicki have been residents of Florence, AL for the last ten years. 

Tom has a PhD in Medical Microbiology from LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA. Tom has done thirty years’ worth of research on infectious disease, teaching with the US Public Health Service, with a primary focus on developing new vaccines and diagnostic tests. 

With a heart for the under-served, Tom has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Appalachian Service Project, Help Center, Gleaning Project, Shoals Soup Kitchen, on the committee for Shoals Shelter, and as a board member at Shoals Community Clinic. While volunteering with earlier iterations of Shoals Shelter, it became apparent to Tom that shelter, coupled with follow up programs for those experiencing  homelessness, is critical in getting each person re-established in the community, on top of providing immediate shelter and food needs for the unhoused. Tom aims to serve and search out ways to create opportunities for each person to pursue a path back to a stable life.