Background and Early Life:
Mayor Tom Guidugli was first elected as Commissioner in 2010 and served as Vice Mayor of the City of Newport, KY, before being elected Mayor in 2020. Throughout his career, Tom has demonstrated a commitment to service, community growth, and arts advocacy.
Tom worked his way through college to pay for his education at Northern Kentucky University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance. He also attended Chase Law School in the Master of Legal Studies Program, which shaped his approach to leadership and problem-solving.
Education:
Tom is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance.
Career in the Arts and Technical Expertise:
With nearly 37 years of experience in the arts community, Tom has been a driving force in the success of Cincinnati IATSE 5, where he has served as the Business Representative since 2000. In this role, he manages a multi-million-dollar budget and oversees more than 400 full-time and part-time employees. Tom has played an essential role in improving the professional standards for those he represents, as well as maintaining strong relationships with local professional venues.
Tom’s work in the entertainment industry spans both national and international stages. He has served as the Seasonal Technical Director for the Nashville Radio City Christmas Spectacular and as the Technical Producer for prestigious events such as the Bradley Awards at the Kennedy Center and New York Life Insurance International Awards Shows in Monte Carlo, Rome, Paris, Cape Town, and Athens.
He has also traveled with several major theatrical productions, including The Lion King, Wicked, Miss Saigon, and Beauty and the Beast. Tom’s experience in film includes working as a Grip and Gaffer on locally produced movies, with credits in The Shawshank Redemption, Milk Money, and Lost in Yonkers.
Community Involvement and Leadership:
Tom is committed to improving his community through service and hands-on projects. He is always engaged in projects that beautify the world around him, whether through home repairs, executing successful productions, or planting trees in the local community.
He currently serves on numerous boards, including:
- Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority, Board Member
- President of the Greater Cincinnati Performing Arts Technical Scholarship Fund
- President of IATSE Local 864, Wardrobe, Hair, and Makeup
- President of Guidugli Productions, providing logistical consulting, Broadway in Alaska
- Executive Board Member of NKY Health
- Board Member of NKY ADD District
- Board Member of Kentucky League of Cities
- Northern Kentucky Tri-ED now BeNKY, Board Member
- Boys and Girls Club, Board Member
- Secretary-Treasurer of Ohio State Association of the IATSE
- Secretary-Treasurer of District 8 of the IATSE, serving Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Michigan
- Administrator of the IATSE 5 Pension Fund
- Administrator of IATSE 5 Health and Welfare Fund
- In recognition of his professional accomplishments, Tom was named a recipient of the Cincinnati Business Courier’s 40 Under 40 Award in 2009.
Past Leadership Roles:
In addition to his current roles, Tom has previously served on various boards and organizations, including:
- Northern Kentucky Tri-ED (transformed into BeNKY during his tenure)
- Executive Board of IATSE 209, Studio Mechanics
- Northern Kentucky Leadership Kentucky Exchange
- Leadership Cincinnati, Class 34
- Cincinnati Cultural Arts Task Force – Music Hall and Museum Center, Board Member
Commitment to Education and Youth:
For over 25 years, Tom has served as President of the Performing Arts Technical Scholarship Fund, an initiative of the Corbett Foundation that supports local youth pursuing technical excellence in the performing arts. Under his leadership, the PATS Fund has provided financial support to college students and apprentices in the performing arts community, ensuring that Cincinnati remains on the map for touring producers. Tom is passionate about the stagehand craft and believes that continued education and training are essential for maintaining the technical excellence of the city’s workforce.
Personal Life:
Tom is married to Heather Rahn Guidugli, and they have two children, Giabella and Louie. The family resides in the East Row Historic District of Newport, where Tom continues to invest in his community's future and vitality.
With a wealth of experience in leadership, the arts, and public service, Tom Guidugli’s career reflects a deep dedication to the city of Newport and the broader Cincinnati region.