by Evelyn Bailey
The Life Time Achievement Award is given to a man who continues to achieve and give back in his day to day life to the Rochester community. Tim Tompkins is a very private individual. Not until I interviewed him did I discover the inner belief and conviction that continue to drive and sustain him.
His early recollections of his family, especially his father who told Tim he could accomplish anything he wanted to, are positive, affirming, and supportive. His family gave him the belief in himself to be successful, and the strength of will to never stop trying.
Tim has spent his life living that reality. As a young boy growing up in Chili, Tim’s family underwent a traumatic experience that would provide Tim with the inner strength to be more than just a survivor.
During high school, Tim’s dad’s construction company almost went bankrupt. The family had to sell their home in Chili, and move to Walworth. It was during this difficult time that he came to know Judge Adler, who told Tim he would do great things in his life. Given his family’s current circumstances, Tim could not understand or see how that would happen.
When Tim’s family moved to Wayne County, Tim attended Wayne Central High School. He graduated from Wayne Central, and went on to St. Bonaventure University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, graduating in 1978 MAGNA CUM LADE.
Tim recalls that he knew he was gay in high school, but did not come out and act on it until he was in college. Personally and professionally, he has not been the focus of any anti-gay prejudice verbally or physically.
Tim shared with me that he befriended those who were picked upon and singled out whether they were gay or straight, and was often criticized by his peers for that. While at St. Bonaventure, Tim thought about entering the Franciscan order as many students did. He decided not to, and after graduating
Tim went to work with his Dad doing remodeling.
Shortly thereafter Tim’s entrepreneurial life began. He took a risk and bought a remodeling/renovation/reconstruction company. Soon he began to buy, remodel, and sell real estate. It was while he owned the remodeling company that he acquired the Rochester Body Club as payment for work rendered.
Tim’s greatest challenges lie in the area of management. He is an idea person, a strategist. His strength is conceptualizing projects and putting the pieces together to make them a reality. For Tim, failure challenges him to do better and to improve, not to give up. Tim’s long time friend, Dan Meyers, states: “Tim has built his real estate and mortgage business quietly and soundly. His entertainment businesses have been as much about adding new, big city options for socialization as they have been about making money. Tim likes to do well doing good.”
High expectations of himself and others, and hard work that brings results have made Tim into a highly respected individual whose advice is sought after in the fields of finance, real estate, and business.
Success, however, has not gone to Tim Tompkins head. He has not forgotten the lessons he learned as a young man from Judge Adler who always told Tim to remember his roots and give back to the community, from Nathan Goldberg who believed enough in Tim to give him a mortgage for $175, 000 for a property he wanted to buy, from Betty Green who was like a second mother to him, and from Mary who was his confidential secretary, supporter, and friend for 19 years.
Tim has mentored many people in all walks of life, and has given to others what he himself received from his parents and these men and women who mentored him. Another long time friend, Jon Arney, says: “ Tim is a philanthropist who has given more than he has received.”
In my experience of being involved in the Rochester community for over the past 30 years, Tim Tompkins has never said no to anyone in need who asks for his help. Early in the AIDS/HIV crisis, Tim was an advocate for services and a leader in fundraising; he has stayed with this cause loyally when many have become fatigued.
He was instrumental in the founding of AIDS Rochester, and volunteered his time and energy to Chair HPA (Helping People With Aids – Dining For Dollars). Tim supported the efforts of Dr Bill Valenti at CHN, and Strong Memorial Hospital in treatings AIDS, and doing research to find a cure. Tim held the mortgage on the Gay Alliance building on Atlantic Avenue when no bank would give them a mortgage.
He works behind the scenes volunteering his time and his financial support to many organizations including the Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley, AIDS Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, Community Health Network, Empire State Pride Agenda, and Spritus Christi.
He has served on the boards of many of these organizations as Chair, President or Executive Committee member. In the political arena he has invested in candidates he believes will do the right thing for Rochester and the gay community. He has personally connected key members of the gay community with those elected officials.
“The challenge for the gay community in the next five years is Marriage Equality” says Tim. He sees computers and meeting people on line as the social arena in the future, not bars as had been the case in the past. Tim is hopeful that the economy of Rochester is stabilizing. He does not think Rochester will experience huge jumps in the near future. Tim always has a finger on the pulse of the Community. He sees his lending business continuing to grow over the next five years.
Dan Meyers commented that Lifetime Achievement might come to some the end of a journey. For Tim Tompkins this recognition is a quick stop to smell the roses before heading on to his next success and philanthropic venture.
As you can see these Shoulders the Community Stands On are very broad, strong and have accomplished great things. They are the shoulders of Tim Tompkins whose spirit of compassion, caring action, and ongoing support continues to make a difference in the lives of people in the Rochester community. Shoulders To Stand On, and the community congratulate you on receiving the 2008 Life Time Achievement Award,