Thom Wheeler is a U.S. Army veteran. After his service, he became engrossed in fly fishing. Living in New York, he honed his skills on the Catskill and Adirondack waters before moving to Virginia.
Thom has been a ten year plus volunteer for Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. He began when the VAMC McGuire program, in Richmond VA, was established. With rare exception, Thom is always present at sessions. Week after week, and year after year, he has taken on numerous roles with a smile and always follows through on the things that need to be done, without needing to be asked, and sees them through.
Over the years, Thom has become an Assistant Program Lead of the Richmond program. He has served in the roles of fly tying instructor, fly casting instructor, fly fishing guide, participant in numerous overnight outings as well as mentor and friend to the warriors and veterans he has served. He has developed meaningful relationships with the disabled veterans he has served and so many look at him as a role model.