Tom Golisano

$4.82 B

Ranked #858 in World

About Tom Golisano

Blase Thomas Golisano, a prominent business entrepreneur and philanthropist, founded the payroll company Paychex in 1971, expanding his influence into sports by owning the Buffalo Sabres and making bold political bids in New York governor races. His substantial charity work includes founding the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation and pledging over $300 million to various causes. Recently, Golisano ventured into education by establishing the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship, slated to open in fall 2023 in Brighton, NY.

Born

November 14, 1941 in Rochester, New York, U.S.

Age

84 years

Source Of Wealth

Payroll Services

Industries

Service

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Naples, Florida

Education

Associate in Arts/Science, SUNY Tech Alfred

Spouse

Monica Seles

Children

B. Thomas Golisano was born on November 15, 1943, in Rochester, New York. His father, Thomas Golisano Sr., was a barber, and his mother, Mary Golisano, was a homemaker. Golisano has two siblings, a brother, and a sister.

Tom Golisano: Family

Golisano has been married three times. His first marriage was to Mary Ellen Golisano, with whom he had two children, Thomas Jr. and Jennifer. His second marriage was to Susan Pategas, with whom he had one child, Christina. His third marriage is to former tennis player Monica Seles.

Tom Golisano: Career Highlights

Golisano founded Paychex in 1971 with $3,000 and a credit card. He served as President and CEO from 1971 to October 2004 and has been Chairman of Paychex since October 1, 2004. In 2018, he purchased Greenlight Networks, a Rochester-based fiber internet provider. In 2022, he sold controlling equity shares of Greenlight Networks to Oak Hill.

Golisano is also known for his involvement in professional sports. He was the former co-owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team and the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team. He purchased the Sabres from the NHL in 2003 and sold the team and its assets to Terrence Pegula in 2011. He also made a bid for the bankrupt Los Angeles Dodgers franchise in 2012 and bid for the Buffalo Bills when the franchise came up for sale in 2014.

Tom Golisano: Companies

Golisano is the founder and chairman of Paychex, Inc., a leading provider of payroll, human resources, and benefits outsourcing services. He is also the founder and chairman of Greenlight Networks, a Rochester-based fiber internet provider.

Tom Golisano: Major Achievements

Golisano is a successful entrepreneur and businessman who has built two successful companies. He is also a philanthropist who has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes. In 2015, he was recognized among 30 givers and causes on Forbes' "Philanthropy's Big Bets for Social Change of 2015."

Tom Golisano: Awards & Achievements

Golisano has received numerous awards and honors for his business and philanthropic achievements.

He was inducted into the Junior Achievement Rochester Business Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rochester Business Hall of Fame in 2005. He was also awarded the Horatio Alger Award in 2006 and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2007.

Tom Golisano: Personal Life & Legacy

Golisano is a three-time divorced father of three children. He is married to former tennis player Monica Seles. Golisano is known for his philanthropy and has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes. He is also the founder of the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, which supports various educational, health, and social service organizations.

Tom Golisano: Trivia

Golisano is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying his own plane. He is also an avid golfer and skier. In 2009, he announced he was moving to Florida. He took partial credit for creating the 2009 New York State Senate leadership crisis. In 2011, he became the spokesman for National Popular Vote Inc. In 2018, he announced the formation of a campaign called Tax My Property Fairly.

Wealth History

Timeline

1971

Founded Paychex with $3,000 and a credit card.

1985

Founded the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation.

1994

Ran for governor of New York on the Independence Party ticket.

1998

Ran for governor of New York on the Independence Party ticket.

2002

Ran for governor of New York on the Independence Party ticket.

2003

Purchased the Buffalo Sabres from the NHL.

2004

Became Chairman of Paychex.

2005

Changed party affiliation to Republican.

2006

Announced he would not run for governor.

2008

Contributed $1 million to the Democratic National Convention.

2008

Formed a PAC called Responsible New York and funded it with $5 million of his own money.

2008

Voiced his opinion in favor of term limits for public offices in New York City.

2009

Announced he was moving to Florida.

2009

Took partial credit for creating the 2009 New York State Senate leadership crisis.

2011

Sold the Buffalo Sabres and its assets to Terrence Pegula.

2011

Became the spokesman for National Popular Vote Inc.

2012

Made a bid for the bankrupt Los Angeles Dodgers franchise.

2012

Donated $12 million to the Special Olympics to launch the Healthy Communities initiative.

2012

Donated $20 million to build a new Golisano Children's Hospital at Lee Health.

2014

Bid for the Buffalo Bills when the franchise came up for sale.

2014

Donated $10 million to Unity Hospital for the Golisano Neurology and Rehabilitation Center.

2015

Recognized among 30 givers and causes on Forbes' "Philanthropy's Big Bets for Social Change of 2015."

2016

Donated $3.5 million to the Golisano Center for Community Health.

2016

Donated $7.5 million to Nazareth College for a new athletic training center.

2016

Donated $2 million to the WXXI Public Broadcasting Council for equipment.

2017

Presented the first Golisano Global Health Care Leadership Awards at the Special Olympics World Games.

2018

Purchased Greenlight Networks, a Rochester-based fiber internet provider.

2018

Announced the formation of a campaign called Tax My Property Fairly.

2019

Golisano Autism Center in Rochester opened.

2022

Sold controlling equity shares of Greenlight Networks to Oak Hill.

2023

Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship in Brighton, NY, will open.

Tom Golisano : FAQs

What is Tom Golisano's current net worth?

Tom Golisano's current net worth is $4.82 billion.

What is Tom Golisano's current global rank among billionaires?

Tom Golisano holds the 858th position globally among billionaires.

What is Tom Golisano's current ranking within the United States?

Tom Golisano holds the 323rd position in United States.

What was the change in Tom Golisano's net worth compared to the previous year?

Tom Golisano's net worth decreased by 745.13 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 5.56 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Tom Golisano's net worth?

Tom Golisano's net worth increased by 27.65 million dollars recently, a 0.57% increase, with his net worth standing at 4.82 billion dollars.

What are Tom Golisano's main sources of wealth?

Tom Golisano's main source of income comes from Payroll Services.

In which industry does Tom Golisano primarily operate?

Tom Golisano is primarily involved in the Service industry.

What is Tom Golisano educational background?

Tom Golisano holds a Associate in Arts/Science from SUNY Tech Alfred.

How old is Tom Golisano?

Tom Golisano is 84 years old.

How many children does Tom Golisano have?

Tom Golisano has 2 children.

What significant contributions has B. Thomas Golisano made to business and entrepreneurship?

B. Thomas Golisano founded Paychex in 1971, served as its CEO until 2004, and continues to be its Chairman. He also founded the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship, opening in fall 2023 to provide business education in Brighton, NY.

How has Blase Thomas Golisano been involved in professional sports?

Golisano was a former co-owner of the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bandits, purchasing the Sabres in 2003 and selling them in 2011. He also made bids for the LA Dodgers in 2012 and the Buffalo Bills in 2014.

What are B. Thomas Golisano's most noteworthy philanthropic efforts?

Golisano has pledged over $300 million to philanthropic causes, founded the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation, and made substantial donations to educational institutions, health centers, and the Special Olympics, among other initiatives.

Can you detail B. Thomas Golisano's political career and contributions?

Golisano ran for NY governor three times on the Independence Party ticket, became a Republican in 2005, supported term limits in NYC, and backed initiatives through Responsible New York PAC and National Popular Vote Inc.

What is known about B. Thomas Golisano's personal life?

B. Thomas Golisano has been married and divorced three times and is currently married to former tennis player Monica Seles.