Early Life
Thomas Milton Duff was born on December 31, 1956, in Columbia, Mississippi. His parents were Ernest Duff, a lawyer and businessman, and Bobbie Baggett Duff. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1974 and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1979.
Rise to Success
Duff's career began in the tire industry. His father, Ernest Duff, founded Southern Tire Mart in 1973. Thomas and his brother James took over the struggling company in 1983. They later sold the company but bought it back in 2003 and rebranded it. By 2025, Southern Tire Mart's revenues exceeded $4 billion, making it the largest truck tire dealer and retread manufacturer in the nation. The brothers co-founded Duff Capital Investors, a holding company with revenues of $6 billion.
Key Business Strategies
The Duffs focused on hard work and perseverance. They also acquired and turned around failing companies. They streamlined processes, and they expanded by partnering with Pilot Flying J to open locations at their truck stops.
Philanthropy
Thomas Duff is known for significant philanthropic contributions. He and his brother have donated an estimated $50 million to universities in Mississippi, including the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Mississippi, and Mississippi State University. They made a $26 million gift to the University of Mississippi for a STEM facility.