Founder & President
Tom Riles sank from 2nd mate in the
U.S. Merchant Marine to rock bottom when his brother died, four long years
after a drunk driving crash left Verne in a coma. Emotionally adrift, Tom was
even turned down for a job scraping bubble gum off sidewalks because of his
"bad attitude." Then he read Norman Vincent Peale's life-transforming book
entitled The Power of Positive Thinking.
Hired as a
salesman, Tom applied Dr. Peale's concepts and the power of persistence to make
$1 million in sales for his employer over the next five years! He was then
invited to appear in a Power of Positive Thinking documercial with four
former U.S. presidents and other national celebrities, Tom also shares his
inspiring message of success with corporate and community audiences. In a life
of detours through devastating lows on the route to success, Tom learned that
"Failure is the Path of Least Persistence."
 In 1995, Tom founded The Empathy Foundation for the
sole purpose of helping others. Since then, he has inspired others to join him
to "weave a tapestry one stitch at a time that depicts a beautiful picture of
what can be accomplished when we are committed to love and empathy." Empathy's
programs connect children to their peers in other districts, while giving them
opportunities to experience compassion, and feel better about themselves.
Students learn to do undeniable good in their communities, and get to see
first-hand that they can make a difference.
Under Riles'
entrepreneurial result-driven leadership, Empathy Foundation's work in schools
has been recognized by local and county school officials, corporate leaders,
the Governor and Commissioner of Education New Jersey, members of Congress, and
countless grateful parents.
With laser beam focus on measurable
results, Empathy's programs increase parental involvement, while forging
partnerships with businesses in the community, as children from pre-school and
up enjoy positive learning experiences.
 Tom's magnetic sincerity, and passionate conviction
will grab you by the heart as you discover he is 100% committed to making a
difference. A living testimonial to the power of positive thinking, Tom is now
arranging for students to write essays urging parents to donate blood to save
lives.
Born in 1948 in Newark, New Jersey, Riles attended public
schools in Pompton Plains, NJ. In 1971 he graduated from the Massachusetts
Maritime Academy. He currently holds a U.S. Coast Guard Captain's license.
Riles moved with his family to Southern California in July 2002. Tom and his
wife Andrea have four grown children. |
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