Tom Bylsma ’86 has served as the vice president for business and CFO of Hope College since 2005. He oversees the operation of Hope’s business and financial areas. He returned to his alma mater after working in public accounting and the life-care retirement industry.

Tom has administrative oversight for all financial matters of the college, including the endowment and student financial aid. He also supervises business services, information and technology, the physical plant, human resources and campus safety.

Professional Experience

Before coming to Hope, Tom served as executive director of Freedom Village in Holland since 1999. He joined Freedom Village in 1990 as financial director and served as an accountant with Ernst and Young from 1986 to 1990. 

Education

• B.A., business administration, Hope College, 1986

Outside the College

Tom is a member in the Michigan Association and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He serves as a member of the board of Hospice of Holland and Creative Dining Services, and is a member of the Riverview Group, a Holland downtown planning and development group.

Tom is also an active member of Daybreak Church in Hudsonville, Michigan, where he and his wife, Susan, live. They have three sons.

While Tom was a student at Hope, he was a member of the college's baseball team; he was named to the Academic All-America second team in baseball in 1985 and the first team in 1986.