Thomas E. Daniel, “Tom” was a pioneer and leader during his tenure at Lynchburg Community Action Group, Inc., founded in 1965.  He worked and served the agency, tirelessly and diligently, in his effort to assist in the agency’s mission “to meet the needs of residents of Central Virginia.”  During the twenty-seven (27) years of service that he provided on behalf of the agency, he held several positions including Weatherization Crew Worker, Weatherization Crew Foreman, Weatherization Coordinator, Housing Coordinator and Vice President/Director of the Housing Department.

Following in the path of his mentor and friend, Julius Haskins, Tom became Vice President and Director of the Housing Department under the leadership of Dr. James H. Mundy in 1999.  His commitment, education, knowledge and enthusiasm were vital in the evolution and design of what has become the agency’s most resourceful programmatic component – The Housing Department. Tom’s education, background, work experience and expertise in his vocation and profession played a key role in creating a plethora of programs, projects and services to meet the needs of Planning District 11 and its citizens, covering the cities of Bedford and Lynchburg and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell; and even reaching beyond our designated area from Nelson County to Danville and Pittsylvania County, to South Boston and Halifax to the counties of Prince Edward, Lunenburg, and Nottoway.

He assisted in the training and development of staff, served as chair of the personnel selection committee, worked with the agency’s Board of Directors, facilitated Board committees and other constituent contacts, represented the agency on the local, state and national levels, and served as one of the agency’s liaisons with city and county, state and national elected officials.  He was one of four administrators who coordinated the operation of Lyn-CAG. If the position of President/CEO is comparable to the “head” and vision of the organization, Tom was most definitely the “heart” – the heartbeat, the rhythm that set the pace and maintained cadence for many of the day-to-day functions.

He served as Program Manager for the Community Development Block Grant, Indoor Plumbing, Water/Waste Water referrals, CHODA, LIHEAP, and Home Emergency Repair. His tasks and responsibilities required frequent contact with numerous developers, engineers, inspectors, contractors, suppliers, businesses, funding sources and clients. Not only was he an advocate for those in need, he was an advocate for assisting small businesses and minority businesses through a conscientious effort to include them in the bidding process, as well as, sharing information and expertise to assist in their operations and success. 

To many this list seems endless and even overwhelming, but to Tom, this was a labor of love, centering him in his element, a job that he enjoyed as it presented challenges that demanded energy, experience and expertise.  It was his “true calling,” a call to service which he answer with enthusiasm and vigor.

Tom was our “go-to guy!” If you needed a tool . . . go to Tom’s office; if you needed a little background or history on a person, program, or business . . . go ask Tom; if you needed someone to listen or even somewhere to go and vent . . . you could “share it” with Tom.  The door to his 5th Floor office was always open and you would often find him there.  His profile was the image that captured your attention as he sat at his computer. He was the agency’s “maintenance guru” assisting and supervising the maintenance and janitorial staff. Even though he was an administrator, at any given time, you could find him moving boxes of paper to the copier room, helping to load or unload supplies, materials and furniture or repairing and replacing anything that needed his “jack-of-all-trades” skills and know-how.  Tom could do it all  . . . from opening a locked door, when no key was to be found; rescuing a stranded staff member who was trapped in the elevator or clearing the tables from an agency event.

Tom’s compassionate and generous nature were two of the cornerstones that laid a solid foundation in his role as a leader and an advocate for the agency. He was a team player who often reached out to other agencies, organizations and institutions, in order to collaborate on a project making the impossible, possible. He worked closely with Rebuilding Together, Christmas in April, Home Depot and Lowes partnerships, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Clearbrook Apartments Development Project, Centra Health’s sponsored “Ramps Project for the Disabled” and many of the area’s economic development initiatives.

His gentle demeanor, yet time-on-task attitude will be missed by the Lyn-CAG family during future staff meetings where he served as facilitator, or by various program managers that he supervised. His smile and his southern gentleman manner will be missed as he held the door or the elevator open to allow ladies to go first. Yet, he was a man’s man who could do the most demanding task. He could also display that “grandfatherly charm” as he quieted a crying toddler in the agency’s front lobby or helped an elderly client through a difficult situation.

By now you should have gleaned that Tom was a “multi-tasker!”  You could often see him in his office with the telephone (cell or desk-style) in one hand, searching through endless mounds of papers and files on his desk or tinkering with something that was related to a project. It was rare, but on some occasions, you would see him at his desk, sitting in his chair that was slightly turned toward the office’s windows, gazing out on the picturesque scene of the flowing waters of the James River . . . deep in thought.  His office surroundings  had its own ambience – a somewhat unique filing system – stacks of papers, files, loads of books, manuals and notebooks, an assortment of gadgets and equipment - -  truly “organized chaos,” yet he normally could put his hand on what he needed, it might just take a moment or two. J The surface of bookshelves and file cabinets were laden with anything and everything, yet he had a place where family photos could be easily viewed, pictures of days gone by of current and former agency staff, and people he had met along the way.  The walls held plaques of framed certifications that he had earned, agency awards, and his Lynchburg College diploma.  There were old and new remnants of birthdays, evidence of holiday celebrations and loads of thank you cards from those he had helped. There were pieces of artwork that stood amongst “the work” and then there were pictures of his favorite scenes of rivers and oceans and ships and sailboats.
Many of us will miss moments shared, the casual interaction, and his bright smile.  His service to Lyn-CAG has left lots of moments and memories.  His time with some staff was endless, yet with others too brief . . . but was time well spent.  His smile, caring spirit and helping hand will be missed by all who worked with, knew and loved him.