Tom Powell is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and community leader with nearly three decades of experience helping organizations find clarity, alignment, and momentum. As President of The Addison Group, a marketing and advertising firm he founded in 1996, Tom has guided businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, and institutions through complex branding and growth challenges at the local, regional, and national levels.
Under Tom’s leadership, The Addison Group has earned numerous honors, including Small Business of the Year, Coast Virginia Ad Agency of the Year, and multiple regional recognitions such as Rising 25, Top 40 Under 40, and Top 15 Under 50. His work is known for cutting through noise and guesswork to deliver clear direction, consistent messaging, and actionable strategy that drives confident decision-making.
Tom is the creator of Brandiscover™, a proprietary roadmap and decision compass designed to serve as the foundation for all marketing efforts. Built from real-world experience navigating competing priorities, limited resources, and high-stakes decisions, Brandiscover™ helps organizations eliminate inconsistent messaging and move forward with clarity and purpose. Tom’s role is not transactional. He serves as a guide, helping leaders see what truly matters and what to do next.
Beyond his professional work, Tom is deeply invested in civic leadership and community impact. He currently serves as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Suffolk and holds multiple leadership roles within Rotary, including President, Area Governor, and Public Image Chair. He is a graduate of the Virginia Rural Leadership Institute, further reflecting his commitment to strengthening communities through informed leadership.
Tom, along with his wife Wendy, is the Founder and Chairman of Bubby’s Place, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to supporting foster care needs and children aging out of the system. His board service extends to organizations such as the Suffolk Cheer Fund, Chowan University’s Board of Visitors, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, and past service with ForKids, Edmarc, and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Tom mentors emerging entrepreneurs through the William & Mary Entrepreneurial Hub and has served for years as an instructor for military veterans with Old Dominion University’s Veterans Business Outreach Center.
Across all of his work, Tom is known for his clear communication, steady leadership, and ability to align people around a shared direction. Whether guiding a company, mentoring a founder, or serving his community, his focus remains the same: eliminate confusion, protect momentum, and help organizations move forward with confidence.
Above all other earthly accomplishments, Tom has been married to his wife, Wendy, since 1995, and together they have raised four adult children who are now thriving in their own callings. Family has always been central to his life and leadership, shaping how he shows up in business, community, and service. Tom and Wendy have also served as foster parents, an experience that deepened their commitment to caring for others and ultimately led to the founding of Bubby’s Place.
At the core of Tom’s life is his faith in Jesus Christ, which informs his values, his integrity, and his belief that leadership is ultimately about stewardship, service, and loving people well.