Tom Garrett

I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1970. I was in the Army Reserves from 1970-1976. I worked for Shell Pipeline and then Shell Oil from 1970-1980. From 1980-1982 I worked for Armada Petroleum.

In 1982 we moved to Steamboat Springs, CO and in November of 1982 we opened La Montana Southwestern and Mexican Restaurant. Over the years we were included in articles in both Gourmet and Bon Appetit Magazines. We were also included in an article in the Sunday New York Times that included a photo of our dining room on a busy Saturday night. We were considered by many to be the finest restaurant in Northwest Colorado.

I was very active in and on the Board of the Colorado Restaurant Association. I was honored to receive the CRA's highest honor the Distinguished Service Award (winner selected by past winners) and the National Restaurant Association's first ever Grass Roots Leadership award which was presented to my wife and me in Washington, DC. Shortly before we retired I was honored to become a Director Emeritus of the CRA's Board. Then in 2011 I was inducted into the CRA's Foodservice Hall of Fame.

In 2007 we sold La Montana and retired to what had been our second home near Sedona, AZ. We live approx. 30 minutes outside Sedona. We have 10-acres and share a boundry with the National Forest. We look across 1000's of acres to the red rock walls Sedona is so famous for without seeing a single structure. We feel like our place is Heaven on Earth. We have three Scottish Terriers which is our favorite breed. We refer to them as our Kids.

In the last 24-hours we've seen deer twice and a large herd of antelope on ATV rides with the Kids. This morning while I ate French Toast for breakfast I watched two Roadrunners looking for "snacks" or our back patio (8/26/15).

God is good!

I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1970 with a BBA in Business Management. I was in Theta Chi Fraternity. Buzzy Buvinghausen was one of my Brothers and is one of my life heros. Buzzy, after graduation, joined the Air Force and went to flight school. He flew approximately 112 missions over Nam as a pilot. He then came home and took over the family business. He grew it into a large company with locations in three states. He became VERY SUCCESSFUL! He is now retired and lives in South Carolina. He has an awesome collection of cars and motorcycles. Thank you for your service to our country Brother!!! You are one SUPER GUY!