Tom P. Carpenter is the fifth recipient of the “Skip” Prosser Achievement Award. This award, presented biennially, was established in 2007. The award honors the memory of George Edward “Skip” Prosser ’72 and is given to a Kings Pointer who exemplifies his spirit and qualities such as honesty, integrity, dedication and the determination to serve others.
A staple at nearly every major Academy event, Carpenter is one of the Academy’s greatest advocates. He attends numerous KP athletic contests and travels to several Blue & Gray Golf Classics, of which his company, Kings Point Ventures, is a national sponsor. Carpenter’s love for Kings Point is tireless as he consistently supports the Academy in virtually every capacity. As a former basketball player and assistant basketball coach at the Academy (’83-’85), Tom’s presence at Kings Point basketball games is down-right clockwork. He loves the Academy and will always support it.
While majoring in marine engineering at the Academy, Carpenter played basketball. Following graduation, he spent three years in the oil industry. He then worked with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, where he became chief engineer and also worked as port engineer.
Between 1988 and 2000, Carpenter worked with the Consolidated Edison Company in the New York-Metropolitan area. Some of his positions included watch supervisor, outage manager, and superintendent of operations in the power generation department. During this time, he earned his certificate of energy management from the New York Institute of Technology.
Soon after, Carpenter became the director of facility engineering for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). He handled heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and electrical needs. He also worked project management for the eight million square foot complex in Manhattan.
In 2007, Carpenter joined a private equity group based out of Mount Vernon, NY, known as Kings Point Ventures. Here, he began to work alongside two of his former classmates—Tom Hughes ’80 and Alex Smigelski ’79. “Kings Point is everything to me,” Carpenter said. “Every job I’ve ever had was because of Kings Point. It’s completely shaped my career, especially my current one since I’m partners with my classmates.”
Carpenter currently serves as chief operating officer (COO), directly involved in the design, construction, and operation of over 35 stores. Recently, Kings Point Ventures hired a fourth Kings Pointer—John Weis ’79. Carpenter was happy to bring another classmate onboard. “The Kings Point network is strong and we work to keep it strong,” he said.
This October, Carpenter returns to Academy grounds for his 35th anniversary reunion. He looks forward to seeing his classmates all together again. “It seems like just yesterday we were marching onto Barney Square for the first time,” he said.
Carpenter, originally from Breezy Point, NY, now resides in Massapequa, NY with his wife of 34 years, Laura. Together, they have two daughters—Colette and Kathryn. Carpenter enjoys attending Kings Point basketball games, biking, and golfing at the Blue & Gray Golf Classics, which his company sponsors. He is also part of the Kings Point alumni basketball group known as the Backcourt Club. “I’m not looking to retire anymore,” he said. “I keep working because I enjoy working—especially with my classmates.”
