Tom Purdy has earned degrees in Mathematics (University of Waterloo) and Business (University of Toronto). He has been a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) since he was an undergraduate (Communications, Computer and other societies), and began his IEEE Canadian Foundation committment as Chair of the Donations Committee where he planned several key initiatives.

Mr. Purdy has over 30 years of computer science, product development, strategic planning, marketing and project management experience, holding positions of increasing responsibility at Centennial College, Bank of Nova Scotia, Comterm Limited, Bell-Northern Research, Nortel Networks, Teleride Sage, Rogers AT&T, RegionalVision and WIC Connexus.

The early part of his career was focused on software-based system and product development. Later, he led strategic planning, product/service development, and rollout of innovative call center management systems, digital switching systems, voice recognition and response systems, cellular/PCS services and networks, and broadband wireless service businesses.

He is the founder of several companies, and is currently active in two: Project Prime Inc., and Blazing Wireless, Inc. Project Prime is a consulting company that provides strategic planning and project management services to startup and turnaround clients in the telecommunications industry (manufacturers, operators, users and investors). Blazing Wireless is a Denver-based broadband wireless startup company that is targeting business customers in underserved cities throughout continental USA.

Mr. Purdy served as Secretary of the IEEE Canadian Foundation from 2001 to 2004 having served previously as the Donations Chair.