Thomas Cameron Finley

Year Inducted: 2017

Thomas Cameron Finley is a graduate of Wilkes Central High School, Wilkes Community College and Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Real Estate and Finance.

His business career began as an entrepreneur during college with various business endeavors including property management, real estate sales, and investments. In 1986 he joined Wisco Diversi ed of America in Wilkesboro as Director of Real Estate. In 1990 he became a founding partner of Venture Properties, serving as a primary developer for over 90 retail projects totaling over 4,000,000 square feet located throughout the eastern United States.

Beginning in 2012 Finley continued his development career as Finley Properties, LLC. His companies have developed several Wilkes County properties including hotels, shopping centers and solar powered Two Rivers Cinema. He is owner and operator of Tanyard Farms, LLC in Purlear, N.C. dedicating over 1,000 acres to historic farm preservation, forestry and wildlife management.

Finley’s civic af liations include: Co-Chair of the Wilkes Art Gallery Capital Campaign; WCC Endowment Board of Directors; North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church Elder, Youth Advisor, and Sunday School Teacher; The Heath Foundation; BSA Camp Raven Knob Capitol Campaign; Whippoorwill Academy and Village Board; United Way; BB &T Board; Phases Recovery, LLC a non-pro t organization with addiction recovery homes in Wilkes and Ashe County; and the Lowe’s Hometown Grant Committee. Finley is an Eagle Scout in Troop 336 and has been a scout leader for 22 years, currently serving as Troop 336 Scout Master. Awards received by Finley include the Governor’s Award for Heroism after helping save a boy from drowning, BSA Silver Beaver Award, Rotary Club Citizen of the Year, Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award, Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award, Friends of Scouting Chair, and the Celtic Cross Award by the National Association of Presbyterian Scouters.

He has been married to Tammy Owens Finley for 31 years and they have three children, Cameron Finley (1987-2009), Tate Finley and Blair Finley.