Overview
Thomas J. Serafin is a seasoned professional with a distinguished career spanning both military and legal fields. As a highly accomplished leader and legal expert, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role as Chief of Staff at Jimerson Birr. With over two decades of service in the United States Marine Corps and a successful career in the corporate and legal sectors, Mr. Serafin is known for his grit, tenacity, and tireless work ethic. His innate aptitude, flexibility, and adaptability have enabled him to master complex challenges, lead cross-functional teams, and achieve remarkable results in both the military and corporate arenas.
As Chief of Staff for Jimerson Birr, Mr. Serafin plays a pivotal role in implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) across the firm as the firm’s EOS Integrator. His leadership ensures that the firm’s strategic initiatives are aligned, cross-department collaboration is seamless, and operational efficiency is optimized. With the keen situational awareness of a trained aviator and the relentless drive of a Marine officer, he works closely with the leadership team to manage day-to-day operations, implement EOS tools, and ensure all processes are adhered to by every employee. His dynamic leadership and ability to learn quickly have made him indispensable at Jimerson Birr.
Throughout his career, Mr. Serafin has achieved notable successes across multiple industries. During his 10-year tenure at Florida Rock and Tank Lines, he held several leadership roles, transforming operations, increasing profitability, and enhancing safety compliance. He led some of the company’s largest technology implementations, significantly improving its operational capabilities and safety compliance. In recognition of his contributions to the transportation industry, Mr. Serafin serves on the Florida Trucking Association’s Safety Management Council Executive Committee and the Truck Driving Championship Committee. His expertise has been sought after for numerous industry panels, and he has been invited to serve as a member in the White House’s Task Force Movement.
In the military, Mr. Serafin has earned multiple awards for his service as an F/A-18D Weapons Systems Officer and flight instructor. He began his career as a Naval Flight Officer student, quickly demonstrating his adaptability and intellect by excelling in flight school despite his academic background in Government and International Relations—a field with almost no direct correlation to aviation. This achievement showcased his exceptional ability to quickly master complex, disparate, and technical subjects.
Mr. Serafin went on to serve as a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) in the F/A-18D Hornet, where he discovered his passion for aviation, particularly in his role as a Forward Air Controller (Airborne), or FAC(A), coordinating close air support for ground forces. His commitment to the training of the next generation of Naval Flight Officers, Weapons Systems Officers, and Navigators was a key part of his military career, and he took immense pride in mentoring and developing future aviators. His passion for teaching and his expertise in tactical operations solidified his reputation as both a skilled operator and an effective instructor.
After transitioning to the Marine Corps Reserves, Mr. Serafin took on several critical roles. He first continued serving as a Reserve Flight Instructor, followed by time at Marine Air Training Support Group (MATSG) 42, overseeing multiple departments. He then joined the Marine for Life program, followed by his service at Readiness Support Program 4 (RSP4), where he managed the readiness and support of reserve Marines. Mr. Serafin later served with the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Staff Training Program (MSTP), where he acted as a Subject Matter Expert, before returning to RSP4, where he continues to ensure the operational effectiveness of his units as the Executive Officer. His ongoing service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the reserves underscores his commitment to leadership.
Mr. Serafin’s academic background complements his professional achievements. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 2000, where he balanced the demands of Division 1 lacrosse with academic excellence. His military career included multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and he was named Reserve Instructor of the Year. After nearly a decade of active duty, Mr. Serafin transitioned into the legal field, earning his Juris Doctor magna cum laude from Florida Coastal School of Law in December 2012. During law school, he earned numerous academic awards, over half a dozen book awards, and was a member of the Law Review, further demonstrating his leadership and intellectual rigor.
Mr. Serafin began his legal career in commercial real estate and lending at Rogers Towers, P.A., where he gained invaluable experience in high-stakes transactions. His journey later led him to Florida Rock and Tank Lines, where he implemented transformative changes that helped reshape the company’s operations and strategic direction.
Despite his many accomplishments, Mr. Serafin’s greatest priority is his family. He has been a Florida resident since 2001 when he arrived in Pensacola for naval flight training. He now resides in the Jacksonville area with his wife and two daughters, who are his foundation and source of strength. No matter how demanding his professional life, Mr. Serafin ensures that his wife and daughters come first. Whether skiing or hiking with his family, or fly-fishing trout-filled waters, his love for the outdoors provides a way to recharge and balance his time away from work. He is also committed to serving his local community and supporting youth programs that emphasize leadership and teamwork.
With his blend of resilience, adaptability, and dynamic leadership, Mr. Serafin is a respected leader at Jimerson Birr and in his community. His ability to quickly learn and master new disciplines, coupled with his dedication to hard work, makes him a standout professional across all his endeavors.
