# Thomas M. Nies

> Thomas M. Nies co-founded Cincom Systems in Cincinnati in 1968 with Tom Richley and Claude Bogardus. A former IBM salesman, he helped build a business around independently sold enterprise software, including the TOTAL database system. He served as president until 2017 and continued as CEO until his 2024 retirement, when PartnerOne acquired Cincom. His public writing emphasizes customer service, private ownership and employee initiative.

- **Role:** Retired co-founder and former CEO of Cincom Systems
- **Organizations:** Cincom Systems, IBM, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
- **From:** Cincinnati, United States
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in marketing, University of Cincinnati, Master’s degree in finance, University of Cincinnati
- **Known for:** Co-founded Cincom Systems in 1968., Helped commercialize independently sold database software through Cincom’s TOTAL product., Smithsonian computer oral history interview, 1995.

## Career timeline

- **1962** — Joined IBM, according to his published Q&A.
- **1968** — Co-founded the business that became Cincom with Tom Richley and Claude Bogardus.
- **1969** — Cincom began introducing its early software products.
- **1970** — Cincom established a Toronto location, according to Nies’s Q&A.
- **1972** — Cincom established European operations, according to Nies’s Q&A.
- **1984** — Ronald Reagan singled out Nies and Cincom at an August 20 Cincinnati rally.
- **1995** — Recorded an oral history interview for the Smithsonian.
- **2004** — Received regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year recognition.
- **2017** — Greg Mills became Cincom president; Nies continued as CEO.
- **2024** — Retired as Cincom was acquired by PartnerOne; Brian Bish became CEO.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Cincom Systems in 1968.
- Helped commercialize independently sold database software through Cincom’s TOTAL product.
- Smithsonian computer oral history interview, 1995.
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year recognition and Hall of Fame induction, 2004.
- International Stevie Award for Best Executive, 2005.
- University of Cincinnati Lifetime Achievement Award, 2005.
- Carl H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement, 2012.

## Latest updates

- **2024-06** — Cincom was acquired by PartnerOne. Nies retired, and the company named Brian Bish CEO.

## Links

- Website: https://tomnies.cincom.com/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/thomas-nies
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-12