Tom Golisano

It appears there is some confusion or misinformation in your “Additional information.” Based on reliable sources, Tom Golisano is not primarily known as an aviator — he is best known as an American businessman, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.

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Tom Golisano – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and career of Tom Golisano — from founding Paychex to his philanthropy, political ambitions, business style, and memorable quotes. Learn lessons from his entrepreneurial journey and legacy.

Introduction

Blase Thomas “Tom” Golisano (born November 14, 1941) is an American entrepreneur, billionaire, and philanthropist primarily known for founding Paychex, a major payroll and human resources services company. Over decades, he has been influential in business, civic life, and charitable giving — especially for causes focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Although some sources label him as an “aviator,” there is no solid evidence in mainstream biographical records supporting that as his primary identity. Most credible references portray him as a business magnate and philanthropist. (No leading biography or archive describes him as a major aviator.)

In this article, we’ll dive into his early life, business trajectory, philanthropic vision, personality, key quotes, and the lessons his life can impart.

Early Life and Family

Tom Golisano was born on November 14, 1941, in Rochester, New York (or the nearby Irondequoit area) in the state of New York.

He grew up in that region, and from modest beginnings he developed a strong work ethic and interest in independent business. His early environment exposed him to the trials of small commerce and the challenges faced by everyday workers, which later shaped his business philosophy.

He has siblings (a sister Marie Golisano Graham is mentioned in some sources) and was strongly influenced by observing his father’s work life and his economic challenges.

Youth and Education

There is relatively little public detail on Golisano’s formal early education other than that he attended local schooling around Rochester, New York.

He later obtained technical or associate credentials: he attended Alfred State College (or SUNY Tech Alfred) and earned an AAS (Associate in Applied Science) degree.

From there, Golisano took a more entrepreneurial route than an academic or corporate path. He did not pursue extensive graduate studies or a traditional corporate ladder — instead he went straight into founding and building businesses.

Career and Achievements

Founding Paychex & Business Growth

In 1971, Golisano founded Paychex with $3,000 and a credit card.

He served as President and CEO from 1971 until October 2004. Then, he became Chairman of the Board and remained a director.

The growth path included building internal processing capability (rather than relying only on third-party services) and expanding via franchising or partnerships.

Moves into Sports Ownership & Other Ventures

Golisano also ventured into sports ownership. He was co-owner (with Larry Quinn) of the Buffalo Sabres (NHL) and Buffalo Bandits (NLL) from 2003 until 2011.

He made bids for other sports franchises, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers (2012) and the Buffalo Bills (2014), though he did not ultimately acquire them.

Golisano also invested in telecommunications infrastructure. He acquired Greenlight Networks, a fiber Internet provider based in Rochester, NY, investing heavily in its expansion.

Political Ambitions & Public Service

In the 1990s and 2000s, Golisano entered politics. In 1994, he ran for Governor of New York under the Independence Party. He ran again in 1998 and 2002.

Golisano also founded or supported the Independence Party of New York (circa 1991) as a platform for encouraging political alternatives.

Philanthropy and Legacy Institutions

One of the most enduring aspects of Golisano’s legacy is his philanthropic work. In 1985, he established the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, focused largely on supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Over time, he has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to a wide array of causes — children’s hospitals, autism research, educational institutions, community health centers, and disability services.

He has supported multiple university projects: the Golisano College of Computing & Information Sciences, Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT, and other campus buildings in New York and Florida.

In recent years, he also initiated the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship, opening around 2023 in Brighton, NY, targeting business education with a practical orientation.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Golisano’s founding of Paychex in 1971 came at a time when many small businesses were underserved by payroll/HR services; he seized that niche and expanded it.

• His large expenditures in political campaigns fueled debate about money in politics and the viability of third-party movements.

• His philanthropic generosity during an era of growing public awareness around disability rights positioned him as a key private actor in filling social gaps.

• His bid in later years to invest in infrastructure (e.g. fiber internet) showed adaptability to new sectors beyond his original domain.

Legacy and Influence

Tom Golisano’s legacy can be seen in several ways:

• Democratizing business services: Through Paychex, many small and medium businesses gained access to payroll/HR infrastructure that earlier had been affordable only to large firms.

• Philanthropic model: He has shown how a successful entrepreneur can channel substantial wealth into mission-driven giving, especially for marginalized populations.

• Civic experimentation: Although not electorally successful, his political runs underscored alternative voices outside the two-party system.

• Institution building: The development of foundation, educational institutes, health centers, and disability services ensures his impact endures beyond his lifetime.

• Entrepreneurial inspiration: His journey (starting with almost nothing) inspires many who aim to build businesses with both profit and purpose.

There is also some debate about the limits of giving: how much philanthropy by wealthy individuals should complement or substitute public responsibility. Nevertheless, his approach remains a striking example.

Personality and Style

Golisano is often regarded as pragmatic, direct, and cautious — someone who watches risk carefully but is willing to invest when he sees potential. He is not flamboyant in public persona, preferring to let his deeds—business and philanthropic—speak for themselves.

He reportedly keeps hands-on involvement, mentors entrepreneurs he invests in, and holds a philosophy summarized in his maxim: “Be brave, be fair, act with integrity, and above all, always strive to create a good deal for everyone.”

He has expressed that motivation in business partly arose from seeing his father face difficult employment relationships; he vowed to run a company differently.

He is also described as disciplined in personal finances and concerned with building systems and processes over charisma.

Famous Quotes of Tom Golisano

Here are several quotes attributed to Golisano that reflect his views on business, society, and responsibility:

“My original business plan? To work hard, get 300 clients in the Rochester area, and live happily ever after.”

“Anyone who has been as successful as I have should want to share those resources. Why not give some of it to charity?”

“What made me this way was watching my father go through bad employment experiences. When I was 17 … I saw him work for a boss that was rude and obnoxious. I swore if I ever had the capacity to run a company I would do it in a different way.”

“In New York, the average total state and local tax burden is $5,260 for every man, woman and child. That’s by far the highest in the country.”

“I’m not possessed about owning the Buffalo Bills, just as I wasn’t possessed about owning the Buffalo Sabres.”

“Like health care, education is something worth spending on and worth investing in, but we’re spending more and getting less.”

These quotes reflect his grounded approach, his emphasis on giving back, and his interest in structural issues of public policy.

Lessons from Tom Golisano

1. Start small, think systemically
   He began with very limited resources but scaled by designing processes and systems, not relying solely on charismatic leadership.

2. Target underserved niches
   Instead of competing head-on with giants for big clients, he built Paychex by servicing smaller businesses, which many providers ignored.

3. Marry profit and purpose
   He shows that enterprise success and substantial philanthropy can coexist, and indeed reinforce each other.

4. Be consistent and persistent in giving
   His long-term commitment to disability causes illustrates that impact often accrues over decades.

5. Don’t overreach — adapt
   Though he did venture into politics, he accepted the costs and limitations; similarly, his bets in telecom show willingness to diversify while being aware of risks.

6. Legacy through institutions
   Building organizations and structures (foundations, educational institutes, hospitals) ensures that one’s influence outlives one’s tenure.

Conclusion

Tom Golisano’s life is a compelling story of entrepreneurship, strategic growth, civic ambition, and heartfelt philanthropy. Though he is sometimes mislabeled (e.g. as an “aviator”), the concrete record shows a man who built something from very little, used his success to champion what matters to him, and sought to embed lasting structures in his community and beyond.

If you’d like to explore a more detailed timeline, deeper look at his philanthropy or political initiatives, or comparison with other philanthropist-entrepreneurs, I’m happy to help.