After Another Significant Season Serving at Fort, Tom Shaw to Retire

A note from Todd Leyden, Executive Director

Depending on how long you have been part of the Fort Family, you will likely know the name Tom Shaw. Tom came to Fort in 1981 and served on staff until 1984 as a short-term missionary. Then he moved on to a successful career in Christian higher education serving in a variety of leadership roles while earning his Ed.D. During this period, he also faithfully served on the board of Fort for 14 years.

Tom and his wife Carolyn, a legacy of service.

God called Tom to lead the Fort Future campaign

Then in 2020, we were preparing to launch a capital campaign after two years of study and input from the Fort Family. In February 2021, the board approved the $9.6M Fort Future campaign, which was four times larger than any previous campaign. We were confident of God’s plan, but our campaign consultant questioned our internal capabilities to accomplish a campaign of this magnitude. Tom, with the prompting and support of his wife Carolyn, raised his hand, and would subsequently leave his university role and home in Kansas and he and Carolyn would move to the Milwaukee area to lead the effort.

Tom’s extensive leadership experience in higher education, including advancement and fundraising, was exactly what we needed. With the help of the advancement and marketing team and the board, together they developed the plan, recruited volunteer leadership, staged outreach events, and developed communication materials. As a result, we have raised $9.5M, which we could not have done without Tom’s leadership.

The fruit from the Fort Future campaign will have impact for generations

The success of this campaign has enabled us to build much needed facilities including cabin expansions, amphitheater, operations center, various infrastructure projects (fiber, water-well, mechanical), staff and volunteer housing, the Happy Day creative arts facility and the new stables building scheduled for completion in 2027. In addition, Tom served as a member of our leadership team providing thoughtful insight and guidance into all of camp’s ministry and operations.

From Wisconsin to Tennessee

Recently, Tom informed me of his intent to retire in May 2026. He and Carolyn are excited as they prepare to move back to Dayton, Tennessee, in the Lower East Region of the State just north of Chattanooga. They will rekindle longstanding relationships with friends and fellow church members from their prior time when he served at Bryan College. Tom and his family plan to continue to visit Fort as often as possible, adding to a rich reservoir of family memories.

Big shoes to fill, but God has been exceedingly faithful to provide for Fort

Craig Holmquist, who has served on staff for thirty years and alongside Tom for the past five, will continue his leadership role with Ministry Partnerships, which includes relationships with partner churches, donors, and the Fort Family.

Please join me in thanking Tom and Carolyn for their leadership and support of Fort and pray for them as they transition to their next season of life.

Eternally thankful for your partnership with Fort,

Todd Leyden

Executive Director

Fort Wilderness