Thomas L. Pelissero grew up in Bessemer, a small town nestled in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Drawing on his roots, he shared the spirit and history of his hometown in his debut book, Bring One Home: A Memoir of Boyhood, Basketball and Hometown Spirit. As a natural storyteller with a flair for humor, Thomas delights friends and family with vivid tales from his youth and the community that shaped him. His book has won a bronze medal in the North American Book Awards, named a Finalist in the Best Book Awards, and his memoir was placed into the Congressional Record in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 21, 2026 and is on the shelf in the Library of Congress. He has donated his net proceeds from sales of his book Bring One Home to support literacy in libraries and schools in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Thomas earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of St. Thomas and an MBA from Concordia University, both located in St. Paul, Minnesota. He dedicated 18 years to the broadcasting industry, where he made a notable impact. Thomas’s work with popular artists in the 1980s was recognized with two Gold Records and one Platinum Record. In 1991, Thomas transitioned to a corporate marketing in St. Paul until his retirement in 2017. That same year, he founded the Erwin Township Historical Society, serving as its President. Under his leadership, the Society was recognized in 2025 by the Michigan Historical Society as the Best Local Historical Society in the state.

Thomas is married to Joy, and together they have five children and twelve grandchildren. The couple shares a love for outdoor adventures, hiking, biking, and fishing—and cherishes time spent with family and exploring history.

Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

Website: thomaslpelissero.com