Tom Schunk

This spring, MTC says farewell to a cherished board member Tom Schunk as he completes his board service. As Vice President Global Communications & Chief Information Security Officer for Emerson, Tom has served in leadership at Emerson for 27 years. As a MTC board member, he has been a valued colleague, friend, and strategic thought partner as MTC has navigated the changes in thinking about technology needed during the global pandemic. He is deeply committed to MTC’s mission and a regular audience member and event attendee. You can always find him cheering MTC on, from a blanket on the grounds at Kirkwood Performing Arts Center during MTC’s return to live theater last spring to countless gala and fundraising event tables. As co-chair of the governance committee, he has helped recruit equally extraordinary board members to join the MTC community and as one of two board vice presidents, provided guidance and leadership within the board’s executive committee.

Under his caring guidance, Emerson, which has been a consistent generous supporter of MTC for over two decades, has become MTC’s largest corporate sponsor, helping not only to sustain productions and programs each year, but also to help MTC deepen its impact in the Ferguson community, the home of Emerson’s corporate headquarters.

Among the ideas that Tom brought to MTC during the strategic planning process for its current strategic plan was a simple question: “What more could MTC do impact our community if we had twice the budget we currently have?” The growth strategy that has evolved from that question has led MTC to envision broader and more meaningful reach in our community and in communities across the country, as Tom’s vision of doubling not only the MTC’s budget, but also its ability to serve young people comes to life in the years ahead.

For all that Tom has done for MTC in his time as a board member, we salute him. And while no one can replace Tom, everyone at MTC looks forward to welcoming a new Emerson board member in the months to come – and of course, to still seeing Tom cheering us on as a “civilian” now that his years of board service have finished. Thank you, Tom!