Tom Dando proudly represents the fourth generation of his family to dedicate their lives to the lumber and building materials industry. His great-grandfather guided Tully Building Supply (TBS) through the Great Depression, while his grandfather and father each returned from serving in World Wars I and II to continue building the family business. Following in their footsteps, Tom began with summer jobs during high school and college, quickly learning that success in the lumber trade came not just from selling materials, but from serving people with honesty and care.
CNYRLDA Lumber Person of the Year Tom Dando (Tully Building Supply), with son-in-law, Jay Shaw (owner of Tully Building Supply), and presenter Jamie Evans, CNYRLDA president.
Before joining Tully Building Supply full-time, Tom gained practical experience with Pyramid Testing and through masonry work on Syracuse University student housing. Those early, hands-on roles instilled discipline, precision, and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship—qualities that defined his leadership for decades to come.
At one point, Tom’s father encouraged him to finish college and pursue a business director position at Tully Schools. Though his heart was set on the lumber business, the lesson of leadership stayed with him. Years later, his son Ryan would follow that same calling in another form, becoming Athletic Director at Tully High School—proof that the family’s legacy of service continued in new ways.
Together with his wife Kim, whom he met on a blind date arranged by the golf pro at Hill-n-Dale Golf Course, Tom built both a family and a thriving business. Throughout his professional journey, the couple raised four children—Ryan, Kelsey, Ben, and Kayla—each of whom carries forward their father’s example of integrity, compassion, and hard work. Tom also takes great pride in and cherishes time spent with his 11 grandchildren.
Tom and Kim Dando with their team at Tully Building Supply.
Through vision and determination, Tom and Kim expanded Tully Building Supply, purchasing Alpine Building Supply, later acquiring the local hardware store, and then swapping locations to better position the company for future success. His involvement in NRLA events and local association meetings helped him form lifelong friendships and reinforced his belief that the industry’s greatest strength lies in its people.
Tom’s career was marked by both professional accomplishment and personal integrity. He was recognized as Citizen of the Year by the Tully Rotary Club, served as Vice President of the Board of Directors at Reserve Supply, and contributed as a Board Member of the Syracuse Home Builders. He pursued ongoing education through studies at SUNY Geneseo, RIT, and Syracuse University, balancing academics with full-time work at TBS—a testament to his drive and determination.
Born in Syracuse, N.Y., on May 9, 1952, during the post-war baby boom, Tom grew up surrounded by family, faith, and a love of sports. Athletics—basketball, baseball, football, and golf—instilled in him teamwork and resilience. He played college basketball, coached his children, and enjoyed golfing in local tournaments, even sharing the fairway with professionals like Doug Tewell, Chi Chi Rodriguez, and Fuzzy Zoeller.
Throughout his life, Tom was guided by a quiet but steadfast purpose: to build something meaningful for his community. He devoted himself not only to the success of Tully Building Supply but to the people who made it possible—employees, customers, friends, and family. His leadership was rooted in kindness, humility, and service. He often said, “Do what you think is right. Even if you are wrong, you may actually open up to even better opportunities. God has a plan for you.”
The Central New York Retail Lumber Dealers Association is proud to honor Tom Dando with the 2025 Industry Excellence Award.
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