Although the pandemic disrupted play last year, the Dallas Cowboys organization was as busy as ever, closing several real estate deals at The Star in Frisco, including a big lease with Keurig Dr Pepper. Juggling it all is Chief Financial Officer Tom Walker, who oversees the Jones family’s diverse interests, from oil and gas to logistics and technology—and even dealing with a yacht.
Education: Oklahoma State University (MS-Accounting, BS-Finance)
Birthplace: Lawton, Oklahoma
First Job: “I started mowing lawns when I was in junior high. By the time I hit high school, I’d learned that the junior-high kids would work for less than I was getting paid. Eventually, that turned into purchasing a trailer and several mowers and employing half the kids in the neighborhood.”
Greatest Inspiration: “My mother. She was 14 when I was born and became the first member of her family to graduate from college.”
Best Advice: “A partner that I worked for at KPMG many years ago told me, ‘If it isn’t illegal or immoral, and I’m paying you, then it’s your job.’ Simple words, but they’ve guided me for almost 25 years now.”
Something I Love: “A glass of Jameson Gold Reserve Blended Irish Whiskey. It isn’t the most expensive by far, but it’s truly my favorite and out of production, so finding it is rare.”
Dream Car: “I’m a Ford truck man and have been for a long, long time.”
Toughest Challenge: “Learning to slow down and listen to ideas coming from people I work with. It’s amazing how much easier work is when you let great people do the things they are great at.”
Bucket List: “I intended to ride a bull in college; I never did, but I’d love to give it a go.”
Favorite Movie: “How do you say no to the original Magnificent Seven? It’s followed very closely by Braveheart.”
Must-Read: “The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. It makes you think about individual versus collective rights.”
Last Meal: “A good ribeye with snap peas, creamed corn, and whipped sweet potatoes.”
Looking Ahead: “The social justice movement has opened the eyes of a lot of people—myself 100-percent included. I’m hopeful we can find a way as individuals, and as a society, to be better.”
This Q&A is extended content from Dallas 500, a special edition produced by D CEO that profiles the region’s most influential business leaders. Visit www.dallas500.com for details.
