Tom Golisano

Blase Thomas Golisano is an American billionaire businessman, philanthropist, and author. He is the founder of Paychex, which offers payroll and human resources services to businesses. Golisano also owns Greenlight Networks, a fiber internet provider based in Rochester, New York.

• Tom Golisano founded payroll giant Paychex in 1971 with just $3,000 and a credit card.
• He served as CEO until 2004 and remains chairman of the publicly-traded company.
• Born in Rochester, New York, to a macaroni salesman and a seamstress, Golisano ran for governor three times under the Independence Party of New York.
• In 2011, he sold the Buffalo Sabres to billionaire Terry Pegula for $189 million, after rejecting a higher bid that would have taken them out of town.
• The father of a son with special needs, Golisano has pledged or donated some $300 million to support children with autism and other disabilities.