About Tom Phelan

Tom has been a resident of St. Mary’s County for nearly 40 years, raised in Moraga, CA. Locating his family here in 1987 while active duty with the U.S. Navy. All three of Tom’s children attended St. Mary’s County Public Schools, while participating in community involvement through sports and other groups. His family knew soon after moving to St. Mary’s County this would be their forever home. Tom is married and resides in Hollywood, MD, and has three grown children and eight grandchildren,

His Navy leadership career experiences:

  • United States Naval Academy graduate - 1979, where he received a BS in Aerospace Engineering. 

  • Designated a Naval Aviator in April 1981, he completed several fleet tours, flying the A-6E Intruder including combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. 

  • He received a MS degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and completed Test Pilot training in Patuxent River, MD. 

  • Commanding Officer for a fleet EA-6B squadron (VAQ-140) and a test squadron (VX-23) at Patuxent River.  Additionally, he served as the Program Manager for Aircrew Systems (PMA-202) and finished his Navy career as the Commander, Naval Test Wing Atlantic overseeing numerous aircraft Test & Evaluation programs. 

  • Retired from the Navy in Feb 2006.

In Feb 2006, he joined KBR (previously Wyle and KBRwyle) working in Southern Maryland supporting Test & Evaluation efforts at Patuxent River, MD. 

  • Served as the company’s Flight Director as well as the Director of Air Vehicle Operating Unit and was the Program Manager for the company’s Aircrew contract providing flight crew to the test squadrons and Test Pilot School until Sep 2025. 

  • Managed and built budgets for over $35 milllion per year, supporting warfighter test evaluation programs.

After serving 26 years in the U.S. Navy as a pilot and test pilot and 20 years supporting our warfighters as a defense contractor. Tom understands the importance of leadership, accountability, and service for St. Mary’s County.

Tom’s community involvement includes:

  • Leadership Southern Maryland Graduate

  • Citizen & Sheriff’s Academy Graduate

  • Past Board Member of The Patuxent Partnership (TPP)

  • Life member VFW Post 2632

  • Member Navy League and Marine Corps Aviation Assoc - local chapters

  • Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation board member

WHY TOM IS RUNNING:

St. Mary’s County deserves leadership that understands our unique mix of historic communities, rural land, and growing neighborhoods, as well as our partnership with NAS Patuxent River.

AS YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER:

  • Will demand fiscal discipline in spending.

  • Preserve the character of our county through responsible residential and commercial growth.

  • Support the Board of Education in the pursuit of academic excellence for our students.

  • Fully support our Sheriff’s Office and first responders.

  • Ensure smart infrastructure planning before approving new growth.

  • Advocate for our residents, families and NAS Patuxent River workforce.

Get Involved. Volunteer.

Interested in working together? Let us know if you would like signs, volunteer or more information about Tom Phelan.

JOIN US!

MEET & GREET - TOM

Join neighbors and friends at the Taphouse for light refreshments. Meet Tom and hear about his vision and plans for our community.

April 16th - 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Taphouse 1637

*Shirts will be available for purchase!*

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