Columbus, Ohio (Mar 16, 2011) – Who’s Who Publishing Company, one of the nation’s largest directory publishers to celebrate diversity nationwide, in partnership with Outlook Media, Inc., one of the nation’s premier urban and GLBT media companies, is proud to announce Thomas J. Grote, chief financial officer for ButylFuel LLC, as the foreword writer for the inaugural edition of Who’s Who In GLBT Columbus®.
Grote has an impressive background in finance and investments. Previous chief financial officer for Donatos Pizza, he was instrumental in expanding the company into a regional chain in 1999 when the company was purchased by McDonalds Corporation and assisted with its buyback in 2003.
Now the chief financial officer for ButylFuel LLC, a Gahanna-based biofuel technology company dedicated to making better fuel as an alternative to petroleum, he continues his work with monetary management as an investor with the Ohio Tech Angel Fund, which provides capital to early stage technology companies based in Ohio. He also serves on the board of directors for the Grote Company, which designs, produces and exports specialized equipment to food processing companies worldwide.
In addition to his notable career experience, Grote encourages the Columbus GLBT community as the founding board chair of the Equality Ohio Education Fund, an organization dedicated to advancing equality for GLBT Ohioans. He also serves on the board of trustees for Miami University and the The United Way of Central Ohio.
Grote earned a finance degree from Miami University of Ohio and a MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He resides in Columbus, Ohio, with his partner, Rick Neal, and his daughter, Amoret.
Michael Daniels, associate co-publisher for the Columbus GLBT market and co-publisher of Outlook Media, says, “Columbus is an amazing place of diversity and inclusion making us proud to partner with Who’s Who Publishing on this groundbreaking book. Having the support of Tom Grote makes this process even more special. He has been on the front lines of GLBT equality and inclusion. We are honored to have him pen the foreword to this inaugural edition.”
Grote added, “The Columbus GLBT community is strong, vibrant and full of leaders in business, government, nonprofits, the arts and in our neighborhoods. Who’s Who is yet another way to share our stories and highlight the significant role our community plays in shaping a more prosperous, thriving and energetic Columbus.”
A subsidiary of Real Times Media, Who’s Who Publishing Company was founded in 1989 and highlights diversity and inclusion nationwide, while providing a valuable resource and networking guide for the entire community. Outlook Media is a multimedia and publishing company that produces products that create relationships and dialogue that promotes, encourages and educates society about acceptance and equality. The partnership between these two organizations is directly in line with both companies’ missions of documenting the positive impact of minority communities and professionals in Columbus and nationwide.
