Tomas Morales (BSCE 1975), CEO and Co-Founder of Morales Group, Inc., has been named by the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) to the 2023 class of Indiana Living Legends. Each year, IHS recognizes extraordinary Hoosiers for their local, statewide and national accomplishments in a variety of areas and disciplines.

Following 23 years of success working with landmark companies including Procter & Gamble Company, Union Carbide Corporation, and Donaldson Company, Inc., Tomas (Tom) Morales was inspired by his father to explore his dream of launching a business that would blend his desire to give back to the local Latino community and his pride in his Mexican heritage. With a goal to build a bridge between the Indianapolis business community and the growing Hispanic population, Tom co-founded Morales Group, Inc., a staffing & recruitment agency in 2003. Morales Group was created to build better futures, and over the last 20 years has positively impacted over 150,000 associates throughout the Midwest.

By matching those who are new to the city with job opportunities and employers, Tom has been able to promote, shape and develop the potential of the growing immigrant workforce here in Indiana. He continues to use his business for good and over the last nine years has been able to bless many families in Mexico by building 23 homes with the Morales Group team through Youth with a Mission (YWAM) Homes of Hope.

Morales Group has received national accolades and has been named one of Inc. 5000’s Fastest-Growing Companies five times, one of Inc. 5000’s Best Places to Work, and an Indianapolis Business Journal Fastest Growing Company.

In addition to growing his businesses, Tom serves on the boards of YWAM and Project Azul, a nonprofit he created in 2020 where all communities can advance and thrive in employment in Indiana. He has also served on the boards of Elevate Indianapolis, Immigrant Welcome Center, the Boy Scouts of America, the Franciscan Health Foundation and Indiana University Simon Cancer Center Development Board. Tom was also a commissioner of the Metropolitan Development Commission and was appointed by Governor Mitch Daniels as a commissioner of the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana.

In 2018 Tom was recognized as a Laureate for the Junior Achievement Central Indiana Business Hall of Fame, and in 2019 was given an Honorary Doctorate in Business from Marian University. His alma mater bestowed upon him the Purdue Old Masters recognition, which is one of the university’s oldest traditions of celebrating the professional success of distinguished graduates and bringing connections with new generations.

In his private life, Morales is dedicated to God, family, and to creating and preserving a sense of community. After earning a degree in civil engineering from Purdue University, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Chris. They have been married for 48 years and are the proud parents of five children — Josh, Seth, Dori, Luke and Callie — and 15 grandchildren.

Source: Indiana Historical Society