Thomas F. Cox was born to Charles and Jeanne Cox in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tom, the youngest of three children, grew up in a loving home in North Little Rock where his parents taught him the virtues of living an honest Christian life. Sadly, Charles passed away in 2006 just short of he and Jeanne’s 50^th wedding anniversary. Jeanne continues to reside North Little Rock.

Tom’s father and great uncle founded Waco Manufacturing, Inc. in 1960. Waco manufactures pontoon boats that are sold at dealerships across the southland. From a very young age Tom was involved with the family business. He was not afraid to get his hands dirty and quickly learned the ins and outs of the industry from the ground up.

In 1986 Tom was made Vice President of Waco and in 1999 was elevated to President. Today, he is the CEO and owner. The company’s flagship name brand is “Aloha” Pontoon Boats. Aloha has won many awards over the years including their most recent from Pontoon and Deck Boat Magazine which declared “Aloha” the “best built” pontoon boat in the USA.

Tom attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he majored in Business Management and was an active member of the Kappa Sigma, XI-Chapter. He is the former President of the Harbor South Property Owners Association on Lake Ouachita in Montgomery County. Tom has served on the Boat Shows and Transportation Committee for the National Marine Manufacturers Association and is an accomplished Toastmaster. He is also the founder of “Arkansas T.E.A. Party.”

As the economy spiraled downward in 2008 and early 2009 he witnessed his friends’ and colleagues’ businesses rapidly decline and the unemployment lines grow longer. Although his own business was also deeply affected, his primary concern was for his fellow Arkansans who were facing hard times. Legislation being introduced at both the state and federal level was putting greater burdens on employers by discouraging them from hiring and punishing hard working Americans who just wanted to earn an honest wage. Arkansans needed someone who would listen to them and elevate their voices at the federal level.