Tom Reber’s professional career started because someone didn’t show up to work. Ironically, showing up and loving his work are the main reasons he says he’s had a successful and distinguished 43-year career in Texas A&M’s Division of Student Affairs.

“I knew in a land of Ph.D.s and really smart people that I wasn't going to outsmart anyone, but I knew I had to try to outwork them,” Reber said. “I also knew I could develop relationships with people and get things done. So that is my mindset — show up and work hard.”

After tirelessly working for 22 years in the Department of Recreational Sports (Rec Sports) and 21 years in student affairs administration, Executive Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff for the Division of Student Affairs, Tom Reber, will retire in December.

His career in recreational sports began during his first week of freshman year at State University of New York at Geneseo, when the varsity hockey players who were supposed to referee an intramural game didn’t show. Little did he know it would lead to a dynamic career, even though it wasn’t the one he dreamed about while growing up in Rochester, New York.

“I have always been involved in sports,” Reber said. “We had a big side yard and it was a perfect field for football and softball. When school let out, everybody met at the Rebers’ and we played whatever sport was in season. I would always announce the games while playing because I wanted to be a sports broadcaster. That was my deal.”

His earliest involvement in working in sports was in high school with the Baltimore Orioles’ AAA affiliate Rochester Red Wings. He worked in concessions, marketing, ran the visitors’ clubhouse and even served as a bat boy for a stint.

He continued on that path during his four years at Geneseo as a supervisor for intramural officials and as the ice arena manager, regularly smoothing the ice with a Zamboni machine.

He then earned his master’s degree in physical education from Western Illinois University, where he was a graduate assistant in campus recreation. His plan of going back to work for the Red Wings after graduation changed abruptly when the general manager was let go. That’s when Texas A&M happened.

“I didn’t know much about Texas A&M,” Reber said. “All I knew was that I had a job in Rec Sports.”

He didn’t think he’d be here long. In fact, his then-future wife Anne had just signed a teaching contract in New York. With that in mind, when he registered for his benefits, he chose the option from which he could withdraw the funds after one year.

“Anne wasn't coming down to Texas the first year, and I was like, well, I can be here a year,” said Reber. “A&M was seen as a good stepping stone in rec sports. If you get A&M on your resume, you can pretty much write your ticket wherever you want to go.”

Tom immediately found a home at Texas A&M and connected with his “rec sports family,” including long-time Director Dennis Corrington and too many colleagues to list.

“So, I told Anne she needed to come down and visit and see what this is all about,” Reber recalled. “She came down and we went to Muster at G. Rollie White (Texas A&M’s former athletics gymnasium) and she said, ‘You like this place, don’t you?’ I said ‘Yeah. It’s a neat place.’”

Anne’s next teaching contract was at Bryan High School, the couple married in 1985 and the rest is history.

Reber served multiple roles in Rec Sports, including his final post as senior associate director. That’s when his years of showing up to work and building relationships led to him being tabbed as the interim assistant vice president for student affairs in 2004, a finance-related role he really didn’t want.

“There was a hiring freeze at the time, and they needed someone to help with the finance position,” Reber said. “I was asked to fill this position for seven months, and I agreed as long as I could go back to Rec Sports.”

Instead, Reber has served under a total of four vice presidents for the last 21 years. He’s also spent two stints as interim vice president during transition periods.

Reber jokingly says his biggest accomplishment is “making it 43 years without someone telling me to leave,” but also points to several construction projects that he helped manage, including the Memorial Student Center renovation (2012), the Music Activities Center (2019) and the Student Services Building (2020).

More importantly, he is most proud of the accomplishments and success of the people he’s had a hand hiring and mentoring at Texas A&M.

“I’ve gotten much advice from Tom over the years,” University Center & Special Events Director Billy Bielamowicz said. “My favorite advice from Tom is to do your job well, give your opinion when asked, know who your friends are and understand we are here for the Texas A&M students.”

Reber’s genuine care for the students of Texas A&M is echoed by every one of his colleagues, and it’s easily discernible that it has always been his top priority.

“I will forever be grateful for Tom believing in me enough to bring me to Texas A&M to lead the Rec Sports department,” said Recreational Sports Director Jeff Huskey. “Most people know Tom as being ‘the money guy,’ or they know him for his quick wit. When I think of Tom Reber, I think of the unwavering compassion that he shows for Texas A&M students.”

Much of his career involved working alongside his wife, Dr. Anne Reber, who left the teaching profession for a 30-year career in student affairs before retiring in December 2022.

Tom’s daughter, Chelsea, is a locally well-known, on-air radio personality for Bryan Broadcasting, while his son works for Texas A&M Technology Services — a career he started at the age of 16 while still in high school.

“I never really thought about going anywhere else because this place has just been very special and very good to my family,” Reber said.

During retirement, he plans to spend time with his family, including his 93-year-old mother, Shirley, in Rochester. He credits her with his work ethic, and he credits his deceased father, William, with his relationship-building skills. He will continue to root for his favorite sports teams: the Cleveland Browns, the Baltimore Orioles and the Aggies, of course.

He’s not completely abandoning work, as you’ll still be able to find Tom around campus doing his side gig as a member of the stat crew team for Texas A&M football and basketball games. It’s another job he’s shown up for over the past 43 years.

Tom Reber showed up. He worked hard. He built quality relationships. He made Texas A&M better by always putting students first. He will be missed.