Christmas Tree Lighting in Georgetown Accredited to Local Electrician
Shining a Light on Georgetown's Spark Plug: Meet Tom Crowley
Tom Crowley, who kicked off his career at Georgetown University as a maintenance electrician in 1997, is the man behind the ever-illuminating Christmas tree and the unseen antagonist to electrical malfunctions on campus.
Every holiday season, Tom dons his work boots and transforms the university's towering 19-foot Christmas tree into a dazzling spectacle, braving the cold and agilely winding his way up the tree with strands of lights. Over the years, the event has grown to become a grand affair, with the crowds always clamoring for "more lights!"
Fast forward to the present, Tom, now supervisor of the low voltage electric department, never shies away from a challenge. He's the one responsible for indoor and outdoor lighting on Georgetown's scenic Hilltop Campus. Whether it's a request for electrical support from the farthest corners of campus or collaborating with contractors across the university on advanced projects like LED lighting and electric vehicle charging, Tom's team is always ready to light the way.
His expertise extends beyond simple lighting systems, as he also manages the clocks around campus, ensuring the Healy clock tower stays on schedule. A Maryland native, Tom's journey through the electrical field started long before he arrived at Georgetown.
Tom began his career as an electrician in construction, working on projects as noteworthy as wiring the CIA headquarters. Later, he moved on to work for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, where he spent sleepless nights in the train tunnels maintaining the tunnel electrical systems.
During his tenure at Georgetown, Tom has held various key positions, overseeing different departments, including plumbing, HVAC, and electrical at times. He's currently focused on electrical work and enjoys the balance between administration and hands-on work.
"I still like to get my hands dirty every now and then," he says. "I also can help teach other guys, share my knowledge with them. I still get out there a little bit."
Two decades after stepping onto Georgetown's campus, the thrill of turning switches and flipping circuits hasn't faded for Tom. He shares his tales of being shocked, working midnights in quiet Metro tunnels, and his behind-the-scenes efforts to keep the lights on.
Electrifying Tales from the Frontlines
My electrician roots: Like father, like son. My dad was an electrician. One day, he asked me, "What do you want to do?" Intrigued by the prospect, I gave it a try, and I fell in love with it. The career stuck, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
- alimented unexpectedly*: More than I can count. You name it, it's happened—little zips here and there. Fortunately, I've had few genuinely startling experiences, and they keep me on my toes. I always make sure to turn off everything possible and stick to safety procedures.
My finest jolt: I was an apprentice and attempting to install a fluorescent light tube when I accidentally completed the circuit using my fingers. Let me tell you, the 60-cycle surge coursing through my body was quite the experience! Needless to say, that was a memorable moment, albeit a bit of a lesson. I obviously shouldn't have had my fingers on those pins.
Midnight Express: I worked on the train control systems and tunnel electrical systems in the Metro tunnels. It was a night shift affair - 10:00 at night till 6:00 in the morning, as you couldn't access the tunnels when the trains were running. With thousands of lights to maintain, it kept me busy. Every now and then, they'd pass a train, and I'd need to keep my wits about me. The dust and noise weren't too bad, and I've never seen a rat down there.
Perilous Paths: I've had a few close calls while working in the tunnels, especially when trains sped past me with just two or three feet of space between them and me. It was quite an intoxicating experience.
"You see everything working well on the surface, but behind the scenes, we're always trying to upgrade, replace, repair, and troubleshoot systems," Tom says. "The pressure can be intense when systems don't work, and you need to manage it all to minimize the impact on campus."
Breaking Down the Barriers
What Tom wants everyone to know about his job: "You see everything working well on the surface, but behind the scenes, we're always trying to upgrade, replace, repair, and troubleshoot systems. The pressure can be intense when systems don't work, and you need to manage it all to minimize the impact on campus." Someone's always going to be affected when the power goes off. It's not just about the lights and computers - water circulation, airflow, and any operating systems running on electricity could stop. We do our best to manage it all and notify everyone in advance, so there's a lot going on all the time that might go unnoticed.
The books on his nightstand: Hunting El Chapo and All the Light You Cannot See. Despite his busy schedule, Tom always finds time to immerse himself in captivating tales from different worlds.
What keeps him coming back? "It's a great place to work, and I feel valued for the contributions I make. I have the support of my supervisor, coworkers, and team, which makes it effortless to keep going. Plus, it's fascinating to witness student life, as they grow and learn, a journey I remember well with my own kids."
Up next in our Georgetown Faces series, meet Fr. David Pratt, the charismatic priest, ethicist, and Navy veteran who has carved out a unique role on campus.
Join us as we continue to celebrate the people who make Georgetown an extraordinary place.
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- Tom's career journey in electricity began at a university, which later evolved into a long-lasting career at Georgetown University.
- Tom's role at Georgetown includes managing lighting systems on both the indoor and outdoor areas of the Hilltop Campus, creating a balance between his administration and hands-on work.
- In his leisure time, Tom enjoys reading books about different worlds and lifestyles, including 'Hunting El Chapo' and 'All the Light You Cannot See', finding parallels between those stories and the ever-evolving student life at university.
