The road to Steamboat Springs for Tom Valicenti has been a love affair dating back to 1974. Tom was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Kent State University, he pursued a buyer’s position with the May Department Stores, and later for Kaufmann’s. Tom’s retail experience proved he was born to be in sales. Rolfs Leather Products, from West Bend, Wisconsin, hired Tom as an Account Executive for the Pennsylvania territory.

Tom still longed to move west and Rolfs granted his wish and transferred him to Phoenix, Arizona to develop that market. There he met his wife, Marci, a Buyer for the J.C. Penney Company, and needless to say, she bought all of his lines! Four years later, together with a 5 month old son, Marci and Tom decided it was time to head to the mountains. With no jobs, they embarked on a new life with the determination to succeed.

Two weeks after their arrival, Tom left for Denver to get his real estate license, and Marci worked evenings at Mattie Silks Restaurant. In 1993, daughter Christi was born and Tom became partners with Mark McElhinney and his brokerage, Steamboat Real Estate, Inc. Fifteen years later and after Mark’s retirement, Tom and Marci were also ready for a change and sought a brokerage with national exposure. In fact though, they selected High Mountain Sotheby’s International Realty. This brokerage offers brokers and clients alike the benefits of an international affiliation, but has the personal touches of a boutique office that specializes in service. It was a perfect fit for the Valicentis.

Real estate was a natural for Tom, as his father and brother had owned a large real estate agency in Pittsburgh for many years. Upon moving to Steamboat, Tom pursued another dream. His grandfather had built custom stone homes in Pittsburgh and Tom began Valicenti Custom Homes, LLC. He has now general contracted the construction of more than a dozen high-end custom homes in Steamboat’s finest subdivisions, including Dakota Ridge, Priest Creek Ranch, Mountain View Estates and Sidney Peak Ranch. Through this, Tom has expertise in all areas of real estate, land development, and construction.

Tom is an avid golfer, but enjoys tennis and skiing in the winter months. Tom served on the local United Way Board for several years, with two years as President, and currently serves on the Expansion Committee of the Old Town Hot Springs; a board that makes decisions on & oversees future improvements of this non-profit town amenity. In addition he has coached soccer at the recreational level for the Steamboat Youth Soccer Association and currently volunteers his time for the boys and girls tennis teams for the high school.

Marci and Tom value the real estate relationships they have made. Knowing that there are many brokers from which to choose, they believe in providing the best client service possible. Having realized their own goal of living and investing in Steamboat, it gives them great satisfaction to help someone else grasp the same dream.