Tom McClung is known throughout Colorado Springs as “the guy with the hat.”

After nearly 45 years as a sales and advertising executive at The Gazette, the man who often donned a vintage fedora has called it a career.

“The hat. His hat is Tom,” Pot O’ Gold Kustoms administrator Kenneth Lepik said of McClung. “If you see him and he doesn’t have a hat on, he’s probably not there.”

Beyond his sense of style, clients have praised McClung’s work — everything from printing coupons for fledgling restaurants to staying on the phone for hours with big-time ad agencies.

Also known as “the Tominator” who often quotes Bill Murray and the films “Gladiator” and “Troy,” McClung leaves a legacy that business partners and friends alike will remember as being distinctly personable and professional.

“It’s all about talking to people,” he said. “And really making a difference with their businesses.”

McClung has seen many industrial innovations come and go throughout his career including the fax machine, the pager, the brick cellphone and newspapers transitioning from a purely physical product to more of a digital one.

Yet he maintains that the value newspapers provide remains largely unchanged. By sharing stories about local people and businesses, newspapers remain essential.

“It helps shape the fabric of our community,” he said.

Born in Garden City, Kan., to a pharmacist and nurse, McClung and his family later moved to Colorado, where he was class president of Longmont High in 1976. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1979 with a journalism degree that would land him with The Gazette shortly thereafter.

Though he never reported for the paper, he found himself turning other childhood pastimes like drawing, designing and coming up with slogans into a career.

“It’s really about picking a career that you like and are familiar with,” he said of his longevity.

McClung spent his career helping clients thrive. He developed a reputation for approaching and handling clients in a way best suited to their wants and needs.

His expertise allowed him to put his own personal touch on an ad’s wording or images while still communicating directly with the client.

“Tom’s memory will live on at The Gazette for a very long time,” said Lepik, who used to work at the paper. “We got into our fair share of arguments over the years, but ultimately his approach was right. He had the policy for working with people and the policy for getting things done and everything else was really rudimentary from there.”

Others praised McClung’s impact on the community. He was a familiar face with the Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, and he often participated in community events like the annual Parade of Homes.

“He’s a problem-solver, a great representative for the industry,” said HBA CEO Renee Zentz. “He’s very balanced with a good sense of humor and a community advocate. You’d never hear it from him, though.”

His professional accomplishments include multiple Marketing & Merchandising Excellence awards from the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, though he holds other accomplishments like first place in the HBA’s chili contest and a local golf tournament in equally high regard.

McClung has found himself on both sides of the news business, though not in a way he expected. In 2020, he was shot by a man during a shooting rampage downtown. Though he survived, two others shot earlier that night would not.

Given the high-profile nature of the crime, many media outlets tried to reach McClung for comment while he recovered at a hospital.

His family members were quick to deny anyone asking for information, but McClung, knowing the nature of the news business, drafted a statement to release to the public while still respecting the identities of everyone involved.

“Our hearts go out to all the families and people who have been affected by this senseless violence,” the statement said. “We are fortunate that our family will recover.”

Still, the ordeal took a physical and mental toll on McClung, ultimately inspiring him to provide comfort and support for others who have experienced trauma.

“He’s been through the ups and the downs and has always found a happy medium,” Zentz said.

“He always shows up and participates and it’s never about him. He’s been a mainstay as a part of our community. He cares about Colorado Springs, as a silent participant but extremely impactful. I appreciate that type of contributor and feel like that’s worth celebrating.”

Although McClung has retired from The Gazette, he isn’t done offering guidance.

Now handing out business cards under the new pseudonym/brand/pun “Atomic Lung Productions,” McClung said he hopes to continue the work he knows and loves.

“If you’ve got an idea for a business, give me a call,” he said. “Bring me a lobster dinner and let’s talk.”