We Make Life Better Through Work

Tom C. Stripling, CPA is the Chief Financial Officer of Goodwill Industries of El Paso.  Prior to joining Goodwill he had his own Public Accounting Practice, focusing on financial statement preparation, business consulting and tax preparation.  He also had a separate firm that focused on general computer consulting, database programming, and reselling and modifying accounting software.

As the Chief Financial Officer, Tom is responsible for all matters of accounting and finance, as well as other areas such as insurance, risk reduction, cash management and reporting to the Board of Directors on the financial activity of Goodwill and Let’s Go To Work, a subsidiary of Goodwill.  He is also responsible for the Information Technology department.

In January 2007 in addition to his duties as Chief Financial Officer, Tom reestablished his accounting practice, Tom C. Stripling, CPA.  A goal of this accounting practice is to create a training ground for future accountants through working by the side of a practicing accountant who also performs the regular functions of a Chief Financial Officer

Tom holds a BBA in management from New Mexico State University and a MBA in finance from North Texas State University.  He was a Ph.D. student at the University of Oregon.  He has taught at New Mexico State University, University of Oregon, University of Western Washington and University of Texas at El Paso.  Among the subjects taught include Principles of Accounting II, Principles of Finance, Principles of Investing, Markets and Institutions, and Analysis of Financial Statements and Cases in Financial Management.

Tom’s original training is as a professional pilot.  He made his first take-off and landing at the ripe old age of 8.  When he was 10 his father had a flight school and would have Tom demonstrate flying to students.  By the time Tom was 16 and able to solo he had accumulated over 475 hours of flight time.  He has accumulated over 1,400 hours of flight time in over 35 different types of aircraft.

Another interest of Tom is amateur radio.  He has held the callsign WB5QLR since October 31, 1975.  Through amateur radio he has talked with other hams all over the world with voice, teletype and morse code.  He will often answer a simple question by spelling it out in morse code.  He gives back to the amateur radio community by serving as a Volunteer Examiner.  When working with a team of volunteer examiners, he can give tests for individuals to earn their own amateur radio license.   

Given Tom’s logical mind, it is not surprising that most evenings find him working on a Sudoku puzzle.  It is not uncommon for him to fall asleep, working on a puzzle. 

He has been married since 1980 to Carol Ann Harris.  They have two children, Ryan and Paige.  Tom and Carol have lived continuously in El Paso since the summer of 1985.