After more than three decades in the promotional products industry and at the helm of Counselor Top 40 distributor CSE, Tom Savio retired from the company he sold to Top 40 distributor HALO in January. Held in conjunction with Milwaukee’s annual Summerfest (www.summerfest.com) from June 27-July 8, the largest outdoor event in the US with 11 days of live music featuring 800+ bands and drawing nearly 1 million people, Savio – in typical fashion – didn’t miss a trick in inviting his nearest, dearest and craziest friends and colleagues to join him for three days of parties in a roped-off VIP area at the fairground and a private event held the following night on a golf course – the Westmoor Country Club (where, make no mistake, he is like Norm from Cheers).

And while Savio is known for many things – an ever-present cigar and the ability to tell a story like no one leap to mind – it’s the deeply decent way in which he treats those he cares about, like driving staffers to doctors’ appointments and taking a personal interest in their lives, that truly stands out. He, the industry legend he is, is not shy of fans, as evidenced by those who eagerly offered their thoughts on the Man, the Myth, and the Mouth that is Tom Savio.

“Tom was an exceptional leader and very ‘Reaganesque’ in his approach,” says Mark Ziskind, who was Savio’s COO for years and, more accurately, his “handler,” and is now the president of CSE Powered by HALO. “He surrounded himself with a great team, empowered them, and let them do their jobs. This approach fueled CSE’s growth and helped build the company to $60 million in sales.”

CSE account manager Janette Wagner, who’s worked at CSE for nearly 18 years, points out that Savio always ran the company as a complete extension of who he is as a person. “He led with no fear, total commitment and perseverance in good times and in times of great challenge and adversity,” she says. “He created a crazy, but fun environment and had great caring and compassion for all who worked for him, many times putting their needs and wellbeing first and before himself. He instilled a true sense of family and made sure everyone always knew that their family should always come first. Tom always gave all of the credit to the CSE team and never himself; I’ve never seen or experienced anything like it, but feel amazingly blessed to have been a part of it, as I know all of my co-workers do too. I know it’s for all of those reasons and many others that he’s so well respected. He will be greatly missed at the company and in the industry, but he will always be family to many and, in his own words, ‘I’m retiring, I’m not dead. So don’t forget about me, expect to see me around and by all means, don’t screw this up!’”

CSE program development manager Kelli Smith agrees with Wagner. “CSE was always a family-oriented company, and Tom was like the father everyone could come to with their problems, whether it was personal or work-related,” Smith says. “He was a great mentor to all of us at CSE and other leaders in the industry, and the company wouldn’t have become the company it is without the inspiration, guidance, encouragement and support Tom gave everyone at CSE no matter their level. He hired great people, trusted their decisions and never micromanaged his staff. People loved working for Tom; he made you feel like you had a purpose in making CSE successful and needed each and every one of us – he made everyone feel important. His sense of humor will be missed, he made you laugh at the most stressful times and would put things in perspective if you lost track. He was a great boss to all.”

Rose Anderson, CSE’s merchandising manager, says simply: “Tom was the heart and soul of CSE; he has a huge heart and nurtured the best ‘work family’ you could ask for anywhere.”

Of course Savio’s industry friends, a merry band of misfits and weapons-grade wackos if there ever was one, were happy to share their unique perspectives on him. “We all know how much fun and full of life Tom is,” says Scott Edidin, vice president of sales for Top 40 supplier Logomark. “He’s a kind person who values his friendships and relationships deeply. On the surface, he’s someone who wants to enjoy life to the fullest, but deep down there is a business savvy and competitive nature that many don’t get to see firsthand. Tom surrounded himself with incredibly smart and loyal people. He led through his values and demeanor to develop a unique culture of where every employee felt personal investment in the company and its success. Tom had an amazing professional career turning a family business into one of the largest and most successful distributorships in the industry.”

Dave Saracino, vice president of field sales for Top 40 supplier BIC Graphic, the 2016 Counselor Lifetime Achievement Award winner and a pistol without a silencer, points out that Savio is a one-of-a-kind guy “to say the least. His energy and lust for life is rivaled by only a few. We’re glad to know him and be part of his world.”

Chuck Fandos, the Counselor Person of the Year in 2016 and the CEO of Facilis sums up the Savio Experience in his own inimitable way: “I have had the honor and physical liability of knowing Tom for close to 30 years,” Fandos says. “He’s the rare second-generation owner who takes an established family business and grows it exponentially over time with great people, great clients and heart. CSE became a force under Tom’s leadership, all while having fun and caring about people who work there. Tom was a great example of working hard, having fun and giving back. His retirement party was the perfect celebration for him: great music, cocktails and people yelling at each other because they were having so much fun. Thank God he only retires once. Now that Tom is retired and playing bingo daily, let’s all take his favorite saying to heart: ‘Everybody calm down!’”

Scroll below to see a gallery of photos from Tom Savio’s retirement party. Photos courtesy of Janette Wagner and Susie Fandos.

Michele Bell oversees ASI’s Editorial, Events & Education platforms.