Alumni Commitment Award - Tom Celani

Tom Celani, is an innovative leader and entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience – starting with the Celani-owned Action Distribution Company Inc., which he took over at age 26 when his father died.

Since then he has transformed start-up companies into profitable public entities, spearheaded the drive to bring new industry to Michigan, and stimulated existing companies to become the best in their respective fields. Tom, a Bloomfield Hills resident, owns MotorCity Harley-Davidson & Buell and MotorCity Power Sports.

He attended CMU in 1974 and in 2004 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Commercial Service degree. When Tom spoke at the May 2004 commencement ceremonies, he told CMU graduates to work hard and improve their communities.

Tom believes in supporting the CMU community. He has established the Tom and Vicki Celani Venture Capital Fund in CMU's College of Business Administration, which supports student business endeavors. He has donated motorcycles for students to market and sell to gain real-world business experience. The sale proceeds were put in a portfolio for business students to manage. Tom has also donated motorcycles and other vehicles to the university for fundraising purposes.

Because he values what his family has taught him, Tom recently gave a generous donation to CMU for a residence hall naming opportunity to acknowledge his parents. The Ben and Marion Celani Residence Hall was dedicated in 2006.