Bio

Tom Jennings has represented national and local business entities for many years in a wide range of commercial transactions, with a particular focus on facility development and operations. Clients rely on Tom for strategic guidance in structuring agreements with the public sector and the formation of public-private partnerships. These activities often involve elements of public policy and procurement issues, economic development, government contracting, environmental regulation and land use planning. He served as counsel to the region’s metropolitan planning organization as well as an economic development advisory panel which recommended changes critical to the way public and private sector organizations interact. Tom has served in a general counsel capacity as well as lead project counsel for major business operations on multibillion dollar transactions. Tom was a partner at a major law firm in Philadelphia PA and served as Vice President and General Counsel to an environmental services company. Tom is a graduate of Harvard College (AB in Government) and received MBA/JD degrees from the University of Notre Dame. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Civic engagement has been a lifelong passion. Tom is an active participant and recognized leader in community organizations, including Citizen Diplomacy International of Philadelphia; Harvard Club of Philadelphia Schools Committee; Pearl S. Buck International; and Snipes Farm & Education Center among others. Citizen Diplomacy is the region’s official international relations organization and a partner with the U.S. Department of State and the City of Philadelphia. Tom and his family have been volunteers for twenty years, serving as homestay hosts to dozens of delegations from Eastern Europe and Asia; arranging for professional meetings and hospitality for visitors from abroad, including: the participants in the State Department’s prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program; representatives of the region’s Sister Cities; and international graduate students studying at law and business schools. Tom frequently facilitates meetings among economic development and business leaders and their foreign counterparts. Tom has served on the Board since 2003 including service as the Chair (2014-2017), leading Citizen Diplomacy through a transition of leadership and strategic planning.