Thomas K. Ries was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and grew up in the Dairy State. Tom is a fourth-generation pastor of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, and his family has been associated with the Synod since the 1850s.

Tom attended both public and parochial schools, earned the Associate in Arts degree at Concordia College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Bachelor of Arts at Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Master of Divinity at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and the Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. He has done post-graduate work in higher education administration.

During his career, Tom has held positions as a parish pastor, university administrator and faculty member, and business leader. Before being named President of the LCMS Foundation in 2004, he served as Vice-president for Finance and Operations at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Tom has been married to Susie nee Otte since 1980. Susie is a graduate of St. John’s College, Winfield, Kansas and Texas Christian University, Ft. Worth, Texas. She is a native Texan and the daughter and granddaughter of LCMS pastors. Susie is a certified interior designer and works for Marshall Fields. Tom and Susie have three daughters: Elizabeth, Katie and Jenny.

See the team with whom Tom works (Pictured at the front of the IC Chapel).

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