Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tom Golisano

Discover the career path of Tom Golisano, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Tom Golisano is an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He is best known as the founder of Paychex, a payroll and human resources service provider for small to medium-sized businesses. Beyond his business ventures, Golisano is actively involved in philanthropy, supporting various causes through the Golisano Foundation, which focuses on improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has also pursued political endeavors, running for governor of New York three times as an independent candidate. Golisano's contributions span the realms of business, philanthropy, and politics.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1971: Paychex Founded

In 1971, Paychex was founded by Tom Golisano. He started the company with $3,000 and a credit card and served as its president and Chief Executive Officer from 1971 to October 2004.

1979: Director of Paychex

In 1979, Tom Golisano became the Director of Paychex, where he has been the Chairman since October 1, 2004.

1985: Founding of the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation

In 1985, Tom Golisano founded the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation with an initial gift of $90,000 to support organizations for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

1994: Gubernatorial Run in New York

In 1994, Tom Golisano ran for governor of New York on the Independence Party ticket.

1994: Run for Governor of New York

In 1994, Tom Golisano unsuccessfully ran for Governor of New York as a third-party candidate.

1997: Previous ownership of Buffalo Sabres

Since 1997, The Buffalo Sabres were previously owned by John Rigas, before Tom Golisano.

1998: Gubernatorial Run in New York

In 1998, Tom Golisano ran for governor of New York on the Independence Party ticket.

1998: Second Run for Governor of New York

In 1998, Tom Golisano unsuccessfully ran for Governor of New York as a third-party candidate.

2002: Renaming of Pediatric Facility

In 2002, Tom Golisano donated $14 million to the University of Rochester, which renamed their pediatric facility at Strong Memorial Hospital the Golisano Children's Hospital.

2002: Gubernatorial Run in New York

In 2002, Tom Golisano ran for governor of New York on the Independence Party ticket.

2002: Third Run for Governor of New York

In 2002, Tom Golisano unsuccessfully ran for Governor of New York as a third-party candidate.

2003: Ownership of Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bandits

In 2003, Tom Golisano owned the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League and the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League.

October 1, 2004: Chairman of Paychex

On October 1, 2004, Tom Golisano became the Chairman of Paychex. He has been its Director since 1979.

October 2004: End of CEO position and start as Chairman of Paychex

In October 2004, Tom Golisano ended his position as CEO of Paychex. He has been the Chairman of Paychex since October 1, 2004, and its Director since 1979.

2004: Donation to WXXI

In 2004, Tom Golisano gave $2 million to WXXI to allow WXXI to upgrade to digital broadcasting equipment.

October 2005: Change in Party Affiliation

In October 2005, Tom Golisano changed his party affiliation to Republican in preparation for another gubernatorial run.

February 2006: Announcement Not to Run for Governor

In February 2006, Tom Golisano announced that he would not run for the governorship.

July 2008: Formation of Responsible New York PAC

In July 2008, Tom Golisano formed a PAC called Responsible New York and funded it with $5 million of his own money to support candidates for property tax cuts and election reform.

August 2008: Contribution to Democratic National Convention

In August 2008, Tom Golisano contributed $1 million to the Democratic National Convention.

October 2008: Donation to Niagara University

In October 2008, Tom Golisano donated $10 million to Niagara University for a new B. Thomas Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences building.

2008: Support of Democratic Party candidates

During the 2008 election, Tom Golisano supported a number of Democratic Party candidates.

November 2009: Donation to Ave Maria University

In November 2009, Tom Golisano donated $4 million to Ave Maria University for the construction of a new field house.

February 2011: Spokesman for National Popular Vote Inc.

In February 2011, Tom Golisano became the spokesman for National Popular Vote Inc., advocating for a popular vote system for presidential elections.

February 2011: Sale of Buffalo Sabres

In February 2011, Tom Golisano sold the Buffalo Sabres and its assets to billionaire Terrence Pegula.

2011: End of Ownership of Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bandits

In 2011, Tom Golisano no longer owned the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League and the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League.

2012: Establishment of Greenlight Networks

In 2012, Greenlight Networks was established. Tom Golisano purchased it in April 2018.

2012: Donation to Special Olympics and construction of Golisano Children's Hospital

In 2012, Tom Golisano donated $12 million to the Special Olympics to launch the Healthy Communities initiative and also donated $20 million to build a new Golisano Children's Hospital at Lee Health in southwest Florida.

2012: Pledge for New Golisano Children's Hospital

In 2012, Tom Golisano pledged an additional $20 million to URMC to build a new Golisano Children's Hospital.

2012: Bid for Los Angeles Dodgers

In early 2012, Tom Golisano made a bid for the bankrupt Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, but his group was outbid by a consortium led by Magic Johnson and the Guggenheim Partners.

2014: Bid for Buffalo Bills

In 2014, Tom Golisano made a bid for the Buffalo Bills when that franchise came up for sale; that team was ultimately purchased by Pegula.

2014: Opening of Golisano Neurology and Rehabilitation Center

In 2014, the Golisano Neurology and Rehabilitation Center opened at Unity Hospital in Rochester, funded in part by a $10 million contribution from Tom Golisano.

2015: Additional Commitment to Special Olympics

In 2015, Tom Golisano made an additional commitment of $25 million to Special Olympics to expand Healthy Communities to 100 locations around the world.

2015: Opening of New Golisano Children's Hospital

In 2015, the new Golisano Children's Hospital opened.

June 2016: Opening of Golisano Center for Community Health

In June 2016, the Golisano Center for Community Health opened, providing integrated health care to people with disabilities and their families, made possible with a $3.5 million gift from Tom Golisano.

September 2016: Donation to Nazareth University and WXXI Public Broadcasting Council

In September 2016, Tom Golisano gave $7.5 million to Nazareth University for a new athletic training center and $2 million to the WXXI Public Broadcasting Council for equipment.

April 2017: Pledge to Construct Golisano Autism Center

In April 2017, Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation pledged $3 million to construct a facility dedicated to providing services to families of autistic children and adults in the city of Rochester.

April 2017: Announcement of Golisano Center for the Performing Arts and Pledge to Autism Center

In April 2017, the City of Rochester announced a performing arts center to be called the Golisano Center for the Performing Arts and Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation pledged $3 million to construct a facility dedicated to providing services to families of autistic children and adults in the city of Rochester.

2017: Opening of Golisano Children's Hospital at Lee Health

In Spring 2017, the Golisano Children's Hospital at Lee Health in southwest Florida opened, which was funded by a $20 million donation from Golisano in 2012.

January 2018: Formation of Tax My Property Fairly Campaign

In January 2018, Tom Golisano announced the formation of a campaign called Tax My Property Fairly to help Upstate New York homeowners fight for fair property taxes.

April 2018: Purchase of Greenlight Networks

In April 2018, Tom Golisano purchased Greenlight Networks, a Rochester-based fiber internet provider.

2018: Expected opening of athletic training center at Nazareth University

In 2018, the athletic training center at Nazareth University funded by Golisano is expected to open.

September 2019: Opening of Golisano Autism Center

In September 2019, the Golisano Autism Center opened in a new 33,000 sq. ft. building.

2019: Ownership of Greenlight Networks

In 2019, Tom Golisano owned Greenlight Networks, a fiber internet provider based in Rochester, New York.

February 2020: Release of "Built, Not Born: A Self-Made Billionaire's No-Nonsense Guide for Entrepreneurs"

In February 2020, Tom Golisano released "Built, Not Born: A Self-Made Billionaire's No-Nonsense Guide for Entrepreneurs", co-authored by Mike Wicks and published by HarperCollins.