Mac Admin Foundation Announces Retirement of Founding Co-Chair Tom Bridge

The Mac Admins Foundation offers profound thanks to Founding Co-Chair Tom Bridge as he steps down from his role on the Mac Admins Foundation Board of Directors.

A multi-faceted technology expert, prolific conference speaker, and charismatic community advocate, Tom joined the Mac Admins Slack in 2015 as user #28 and has worked ceaselessly to support and strengthen the community of Mac Admins throughout his career.

Tom was among the first to respond to the 2021 announcement that SalesForce had purchased Slack; he acted as the driving force in assembling the ad hoc group who would go on to build the Mac Admins Foundation on the pillars of universal access, independence, and community. He then guided the establishment of the formal organization, generation of governing documents, and the formation of its first Board of Directors, providing immense amounts of time and even some of the preliminary financial support needed to bring the organization out of stealth.

Following the MAF's public debut, Tom spearheaded the fundraising and relationship-building that allowed it to assume fiscal responsibility for the Mac Admins Slack, then helped guide the process of expanding the board when the team's work outgrew the available hands. Tom did all of this while acting as a Product Manager, and later Director of Product for JumpCloud, and made the rest of the board wonder where he had obtained the Time Generator.

Over time, Tom stepped into the position of Chair Emeritus, taking the next step in ensuring that the Mac Admins Foundation would develop as a sustaining organization that can grow and change with the industry and with its community. In this role, he oriented newer executive leaders and board members, strengthened fundraising relationships, and shepherded the modernization of the Slack Code of Conduct together with the Slack moderation team.

As Tom steps back, he continues to engage the community by participating in the Mentorship Program, but most importantly, Tom leaves the organization with a strong foundation for the future, having built an organization and a team that can realize the Mac Admin Foundation’s vision and continue to carry out its mission. The Board hopes to be able to carry this vision forward with the same energy and passion that Tom brought to it, and brings to everything he does.