Thomas Krouwer

Thomas Krouwer is a retired training consultant for the New York City Human Resources Administration Department of Social Services, where he was an advisor on organization and management of the agency’s various social welfare programs aimed at putting clients more quickly on the road to self-sufficiency. During his 35 years with the organization Tom was also pivotal in organizing public-private partnerships that allowed businessmen, entrepreneurs and managers from the corporate world to use their expertise to run special government programs. The HRA works to ensure that all New York City agencies share a common philosophy of collaboration, innovation and customer service helping the City work together to address the challenges faced by its neediest citizens, empowering people through streamlined, comprehensive services, and at the same time, designing programs that also conserve scarce fiscal resources.

In the private sector, Tom and five other experts from varied social welfare backgrounds founded and ran the New York Consultation Service for over 10 years. The firm provided psychotherapy services to employees in the corporate world with substance abuse problems, marital difficulties and other psychological issues that destroyed their quality of life and work.

Tom graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College in 1961, followed by a Masters in Social Work from the University of Connecticut in 1970. He lives in the historic Greenwich Village area of New York City and is currently divorced with an effervescent, charming 16-year-old daughter, Margot.

Life after retirement has been just as fulfilling and tireless for Tom. In addition to playing tennis, horseback riding, skiing and spending time with his daughter, Tom’s currently also the vice president of the National Arts Club whose programs and missions are aimed at stimulating, fostering and promoting public interest in the arts, and educating the American people in the fine arts. His mantra in life that there are always new challenges to look forward to keeps him energized and motivated and he can often be heard quoting Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schultz, who remarked fondly about getting older, "Just remember that when you’re over the hill, you begin to pick up speed!"