From the coal fields of Eastern Pennsylvania, with only a high school education, L. Thomas Ferguson (Tom) rose to the top of the airline industry. After serving his country in the Pacific theater during WW II, Tom began his airline career in 1945 with Northwest Airlines in Pittsburg, PA as an operations agent. In 1955 he was hired by Allegheny Airlines to be Regional Sales Manager and Communications Director in Harrisburg, PA. Tom moved to Washington, DC in 1960 to be the Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

In June of 1967 he was appointed President of Lake Central Airlines and was an integral part in merging Lake Central into Allegheny in 1968. In 1972 he was named President of Mohawk Airlines and again was instrumental in merging Mohawk into Allegheny Airlines.

Tom returned to Allegheny Airlines (known as US Airways today) and played a key role in creating and planning what is now the country's 6th largest airline. He retired from US Airways in 1983 as Senior Vice President of Administration.

He retired to Williamsburg where he is still active in his church and many charitable community programs