I am in my fourth decade in real estate. I started in 1987 with a Mom and Pop independent brokerage in Bossier City, Louisiana. That same year I tested for the high I.Q. society, Mensa. I have also been admitted to  membership in another, albeit lesser known high I.Q. society called Intertel. During 1987 I attended the Mensa convention in Dallas and was fortunate enough to win their National Trivial Puruit Tournament. I am a 1976 graduate of the University of Dayton and attended the California Western School of Law, 1978-1980. During 1988  I attained my Graduate Realtor's Institute designation, (GRI). In that year I was the only member of my board to receive this coveted certification. I've always had a keen interest in the political process and in the election year of 1988 I was named the Louisiana State Chair for the Alexander Haig for President campaign. I liked General Haig  for several reasons, but I especially liked the fact that his mother Mary was born in County Cork, Ireland. I'm proud of my Irish heritage and I have a five room farmhouse on eleven acres in County Longford. I try to get over there  as  often as I can.  I'm an avid golfer and have played many of the top Irish courses. In 1990 I became a broker and opened Tom Sweeney Real Estate. I was  very pleased when the Louisiana Real Estate Commission made the decision to waive my 500 hour broker education requirement and accepted my property related course work from my law school transcript. At that time I was the only broker in the state that was permitted to receive his broker's licence without having to complete the required broker education hours. From 1990 to 1994 I was elected to serve as a delegate to four state republican conventions. In 1991 I ran for County Commissioner, (in Louisiana we call our counties "parishes"). I've served on the nominating committee in the 4th Congressional District for the Republican Party.  In 1994 The Louisiana Realtors Association asked me to chair the Seller Property Condition Disclosure Task Force. I served in that capacity for two years and am proud to say that our state's form is a document that has protected Louisiana real estate purchasers for the past  fifteen years. I've been active on my local board serving on a number of committee's and chairing several of them. I am a published author and served as chair and managing editor of our local board's monthly Realtor magazine. I've served two terms as chair of our board's Political Action Committee. We always met our fund raising quota.  I've taken a keen interest in  promoting the Realtor image and am gratefull to the many people who have allowed me to make a contribution towards that end. The protection and advancement of private property rights should be the concern of every member of our profession. It's certainly one of mine. I've  been a Louisiana civil law notary public for the past 25 years. I am adept at preparing a wide range of legal instruments ranging from Powers of Attorney, affidavits, deeds and  last will and testaments. I've done loan closings for hundreds of satisfied clients. In 2005-2006 I had the fun filled experience of appearing in four films as an "Extra" The four movies were "Roadhouse II", "Factory Girl", "Ruffian" and "Premoniton" I worked in scenes with Sam Shepard, Guy Pearce, Sienna Miller, Julian McMahon and Sandra Bullock. Today I am actively involved in the property management business of my company. I also list and sell single family homes. I have a list of clients who know that they are getting more of my concern and attention then they would be likely to receive anywhere else. I'm very happy to state that after working with me several of my clients have become some of my closest friends. Thats a wonderful spinoff that comes from having a  job you love. I love life and I've found my niche in life. I've been blessed with a good sense of humor and a personality that attracts others to me. Lastly, I am a 4th degree member of The Knights of Columbus and have served my council as recorder, membership director and council liason to the Crisis Pregnancy Center.  I always try to remember to be thankfull for God's abundant mercy.  I am the luckiest man in the world.