“I am very honored, humbled and thankful that I have been given this award. When I returned to Spartanburg after graduating from The Citadel in 1974, I went to work in the family business, Young Office Supply Company. My grandfather encouraged me to get involved with the community, be active with the Chamber of Commerce, my church, and try to do the best I could to help make our region and our state a great place to live and to work. That is what I have tried to do.“
Tommy joined Young Office Supply in 1974, working with his grandfather and father to grow the family business. His business insight is equally weighed by his engagement in the local community. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Spartanburg County Commission for Higher Education. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Spartanburg Restorative Care Hospital, The Citadel Alumni Association, and the Spartanburg Regional Hospital Foundation.
In 2017 The University of South Carolina recognized Young with an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service Degree. He has also served as the Chairman of the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce, The Carolina Piedmont Foundation, Spartanburg Regional Hospital Foundation, Chapman Cultural Center, and many other notable organizations.
His extensive service to the community includes roles as President of The Rotary Club of Spartanburg, The Spartanburg Citadel Club, and The Piedmont Club. He has served on the Allocations Committee of the United Way of the Piedmont and as a director of the Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina. Young has been involved with the YMCA of Spartanburg, the Spartanburg Boys Home, the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, the local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Spartanburg Country Club.
“As our company continues to grow under the leadership of my son, Thomas R. Young IV, who graduated from The Citadel in 2002, we will continue to be a good corporate citizen to provide a great working environment for our associates and to bring the best quality products at the best value possible to our customers. I want to thank everyone who has supported me, my family, and my company over the past 65 years that we have been in business” said Tommy