Tom, born and raised on his family dairy farm in Lee County, graduated from Beauregard High School in 1988. In 1994, he received a Bachelor’s in Public Administration from Auburn University and went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law. He was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1999. 

Before attending Auburn, Senator Whatley enlisted in the Alabama Army National Guard where he served over 30 years. In 1992, he received his Commission from Auburn University ROTC and currently serves as a Colonel. His last overseas assignment was as the Bilateral Affairs Officer, Defense Attaché Office, United States Embassy, Bucharest Romania where he served as a diplomatic liaison between the US Embassy and the Romanian Ministry of Defense. 

Tom has served our communities in the Alabama State Senate since 2011 on committees that oversee issues affecting Alabama agriculture, banking, finance, healthcare, transportation and veterans. He chairs the Agriculture Conservation and Forestry Committee and is also a member of the following committees: Banking and Insurance, Confirmations, Finance and Taxation, Education, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, Transportation & Energy, and Veterans and Military Affairs. 

Senator Whatley resides in Auburn, is a member of the Opelika Kiwanis Club, the Lee County Cattleman’s Association, supports various civic organizations, and attends Auburn United Methodist Church.