After graduating from Lakeland High School, Tom Mims received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Polk Community College and graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. Later, he received his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Florida Southern College.
Following his graduation from the University of Florida, Tom began working for a Polk County public accounting firm. Quickly becoming eager to pursue a career more creative and active than accounting. Tom left the accounting firm and formed T. Mims Corp. and The Mims Group, LLC. For over 25 years, both companies have been, and continue to be, active in real estate, development and management, as well as community service.