Dallas FBI official will fill Trophy Club post

Tom Class is leaving a 27-year career with the FBI and going to work as the town manager of Trophy Club.

For some people, that change could look like moving from a lively job to a routine career.

Class doesn’t see it that way.

“There is no routine public administration position when called to ‘public service,’ ” Class said in an email Saturday, a few days after city officials selected the 56-year-old Trophy Club resident as its new town manager. “The position of town manager will present the same challenges I face in my current position as Special Agent in Charge, as well as other challenges unique to the position.”

Class will leave the FBI in Dallas in January, and begins as town manager Feb. 1, overseeing a city with about 13,000 residents and a 2016-17 budget of about $23 million.

Class’ “executive, organizational, and management knowledge covering a broad range of topics and disciplines relevant to the public sector” are invaluable to Trophy Club, Mayor Nick Sanders said in a city news release. “He has dealt with individuals from diverse cultural and organizational backgrounds and has developed and maintained strong relationships with the community.”

Class has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration. He was initially assigned to the Atlanta division of the FBI, where he investigated a variety of criminal and national security cases.

He was later promoted to various positions and now leads a team that oversees 13 offices across North Texas.

The Town Council believes Class’ expertise in fiscal responsibility, communication and accountability, among other skills, are what Trophy Club needs, said Town Councilman Tim Kurtz in the news release.

The mayor added that Class’ reputation and strong leadership were factors in his selection.

“Tom’s entire professional career has been focused on community service and ensuring the safety of those around him,” the mayor said.

Class and his wife moved to Trophy Club from Washington, D.C., two years ago. They have three adult children.

“I see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve in a leadership capacity and positively impact the community in which I live and love,” Class said.

This story was originally published December 12, 2016 at 1:50 PM with the headline "Dallas FBI official will fill Trophy Club post."