2026 PINNACLE Honoree Walter Tombs, BS'87

A native of West Caldwell, New Jersey, Walter’s competitive drive was evident early at James Caldwell High School, where he earned First Team All-State Group 2 honors in baseball during his senior year in 1983. This foundation led him to Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Florham Campus, where his leadership was further recognized on the diamond. A four-year member of the Varsity Baseball team, he served as Team Captain in 1986 and 1987, cultivating the discipline and collaborative mindset that would later define his executive tenure. Following graduation, he joined the “Big Eight” firm Arthur Young (Ernst & Young) in 1987, gaining a rare dual-perspective across both the audit and tax departments.

In 1992, Walter transitioned to entrepreneurship, co-founding his own accounting firm in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Over the next twenty years, he scaled the practice into a 20-person CPA firm, establishing himself as a trusted advisor to prominent regional enterprises. It was during this period that he began a 15-year partnership with Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, eventually joining the executive team as CFO in 2016. Throughout his career, Walter has remained a dedicated mentor to the next generation of professionals, providing internship opportunities and guidance to high school and college students at both his firm and Jersey Mike’s. His commitment to education is further evidenced by his service as a member of the Wall High School Business and Finance Academy.

As CFO, Walter oversaw an era of unprecedented expansion and financial innovation. During his tenure, total system-wide sales grew from $1 billion to over $4 billion, and the brand’s footprint expanded from 1,000 locations to more than 3,300 stores. Simultaneously, he helped drive a surge in profitability, with Average Unit Volume (AUV) growing from $700,000 to over $1.4 million. To fuel this aggressive scaling, Walter spearheaded a series of complex debt raises through whole business securitizations, a sophisticated financing strategy that provided the necessary capital for the brand’s global trajectory. This financial engineering culminated in the landmark $8 billion sale of Jersey Mike’s to Blackstone in 2025—one of the largest and most significant franchise acquisitions ever recorded.

In recognition of his exceptional leadership and strategic impact, Walter was named CFO of the Year by NJBIZ in 2021. Parallel to his commercial success, he helped lead the company’s philanthropic efforts, raising over $150 million for local and national charities. Through initiatives like the annual “Month of Giving,” he played a central role in a mission that has fundamentally changed lives across the United States. A highly respected figure in the accounting profession, Walter maintains active memberships in the AICPA, as well as the New Jersey and New York State Societies of CPAs.

Walter resides in Spring Lake, New Jersey, with his wife of 36 years, Wendy, who is also a graduate of the FDU Rutherford Campus (MBA, Marketing). Together, they have raised a family dedicated to professional excellence. Their son, Tyler (Boston College), is a successful Jersey Mike’s franchisee with 10 locations in Massachusetts; and their daughter, Brynn (Penn State and Fordham), works for KPMG in New York City. An avid golfer, Walter is a fan of all sports and has always enjoyed traveling with his family.

In receiving the Pinnacle Award, Walter Tombs is recognized for his transformative impact on the global business landscape, his philanthropic heart, and his enduring commitment to the values of excellence fostered at Fairleigh Dickinson University.