Tom Sturges

Tom Sturges is a music executive, author, mentor, educator, inventor, and public speaker.  He served as president of Chrysalis Music, EVP and Head of Creative for Universal Music Publishing Group, and VP/GM of Shaquille O’Neals TWIsM Records.

Tom’s signings include Smashing Pumpkins, 50 Cent & G Unit, Foo Fighters, Outkast & Goodie Mob, Jack Johnson, 3 Doors Down, Slaughter, Green Jelly and Chris Brown, as well as Baby Bash, Katrina & The Waves, Vanessa Carlton, Owl City, and Afroman. Additionally, Tom signed several hit writer/producers including Mark Batson, Troy Taylor, Sean Garrett and Jason Epperson (aka Jay-E) among many others.  Selling a combined 195M albums and 32M singles, in addition to registering over a billion views and streams, the writers and artists signed by Tom have composed twenty-two  #1 singles and have received nineteen Grammy awards. 

Tom is also a published author, a professor at UCLA and guest lecturer at other prominent Universities. He is  a mentor to many including many within our school district.  Additionally, he is the subject of the award-winning documentary film WITNESS TO A DREAM, which tells the story of Tom’s efforts to help 235 at-risk inner-city students from South Los Angeles graduate high school and enter four-year colleges.  Using music, creativity and live performances, the student choirs performed at over fifty events, including the Democratic Convention, The Governor’s Mentoring Partnership, and twice for President Barack Obama.  Tom has received over forty commendations from mayors, senators, governors, presidents and other public officials for these efforts. 

Tom studied music composition and conducting at UC Davis, where he received his B.A., and continued his education at UCLA. He is the father of three sons.