Aaron is the current Field Manager and Director of Baseball Operations for the Joliet Slammers of Frontier League. Prior to his position with the Slammers, Aaron was a member of the Oakland Athletics Player Development system. Previous roles included hitting coach, manager, and most recently Field Coordinator which included coordinating, managing, and leading all on-field activity for minor league Spring Training, Extended Spring Training, Arizona Summer League, and the fall Instructional League. An additional component to his position includes helping lead and manage the A’s minor league leadership development program for staff and players.
After graduating from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL, Aaron attended the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign majoring in Communications and playing baseball for hall of fame coach Richard “Itch” Jones. Drafted in the 22nd round as a catcher by the Athletics in 1998, Aaron played 5 minor league seasons, four with the A’s and one with the San Francisco Giants, reaching the Triple A level.
After his playing career, Aaron began coaching in 2004 within the minor league system of the Athletics. Starting as a hitting coach for the Kane County Cougars, Aaron began his managerial career in 2006, managing the Cougars. He went on to manage at various levels, the highlight being when his team the Midland Rockhounds, won the Double A Texas League Championship in 2014. He credits his tremendous coaching staff and phenomenal players including current A’s third baseman Matt Chapman and current Dodger’s infielder Max Muncy, in securing the Championship. Subsequently, he was promoted to a hybrid role of Field Coordinator and manager of the Vermont Lakemonters, New York Penn League affiliate of the Athletics. After holding this position for 5 years, Aaron was promoted to full time Field Coordinator, a position he strongly felt aligned with his professional goals and ambitions. Throughout his tenure as a professional coach, he has assisted many players in achieving their dream of playing in the Major Leagues.
After coaching for 10 seasons and realizing the significant importance and impact that effective leadership has in not only developing players, coaches, and leading teams, but also in driving an organization to excellence, Aaron chose to earn a Master’s degree and enrolled at Lewis University studying Organizational Leadership. Graduating in 2016, Aaron understands the importance of a growth mindset and that the learning process is ongoing and considers himself a devout student of athletics, leadership, and maximizing human potential. One of Aaron’s favorite quotes by Matshona Dhliwayo, “A Lifelong learner is a lifelong winner,” embodies what he feels is an essential component to achieving personal excellence.
Additionally, Aaron has been offering private baseball and softball instruction for youth in the Chicago area since 1998. Entering his 23rd year of instruction, he thoroughly enjoys the privilege of coaching amateur athletes. Focusing his instruction on what he calls the “what & why” principle, Aaron explains what it is the athlete is working on and why it’s important and the benefits it will have on his/her skill development. He has also dedicated his instruction to developing both the athletic and mental skills of every athlete with whom he works. Devoted and committed to the learning
process, Aaron is focused on integrating his professional experiences and dedication to personal growth and development to Mission360.
A current resident of Yorkville, IL, Aaron thoroughly enjoys spending time with his family. A father to 3 beautiful girls, Ariyana, Hailey and Trinity, he and his wife Renee both enjoy the outdoors, birdwatching, exercising, reading, and cooking.

After missing his senior season due to a broken foot sustained playing varsity basketball for Glenbrook South HS, Tom’s baseball playing career ended quickly and unceremoniously.

It wasn’t until the following spring while attending Illinois State University that the kind of positive impact that disappointing experience would later have on his life became clear. During a walk back from school to his dorm on a warm spring afternoon, Tom decided to sit in the bleachers and watch the Redbirds baseball team practice. At that moment, quietly watching those players work through their drills, he realized, “that could have been me down there.”

Instead of reliving the disappointment of the previous spring, he decided right then that somehow in the future he would dedicate himself to helping young players never miss their chance to play college baseball and beyond.

The fulfillment of that commitment took a while to get started, but with the birth of his son in 2002, Tom began the schooling and preparation for a coaching and training journey that continues today. Driven with that same passion born on those bleachers, he now works tirelessly to do everything he can to help any ball player with the desire and goal to reach that next level.

Tom has coached youth baseball now for 12 years for organizations like St Charles Boys Baseball, Illinois Lightning, Aurora Aces, Northern Illinois Reds, and now Illinois Hawks Baseball. Primarily focusing on Infield play and hitting, he has, to date, coached 4 D1, 5 D3, and 3 JUCO committed athletes.

However, more importantly than any accolades, during that period he’s spent countless hours (just ask his wife) studying the game with an unquenchable thirst to find and develop a holistic approach to teaching and training that touches on every aspect of the game. From breaking down the individual movements of the fielding process to develop better drills for infielders, to making agility ladders for players out of duct tape, to reading books and attending seminars on the mental side of hitting, Tom is continually working to improve his approach to help make sure none of his players are ever sitting in the stands thinking, “that could have been me down there.”

Tom currently lives in St Charles with his wife, Judy (ex all-state softball player), daughter Maggie who is a Junior Animal Studies student at the University of Missouri, and Cole a middle infielder preparing for his first year of college baseball at Oakton Junior College next fall.