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March 31, 2026 -  To acknowledge dedicated and thoughtful employees who embody our core values, HighGround established the Tal Award, named for former HighGround COO Tal Roberts. The award recipient is selected by HighGround peers through a nomination process.

At our annual all-staff Vision Meeting in February, Tommy Choi was named as our 2026 Tal Award recipient. Tommy is Associate General Counsel at HighGround and has been with us since 2022. We recently sat down, fireside, to learn more about his story and to celebrate how his work has impacted HighGround and the client partners we serve.

What role do you play in the advancement of HighGround's mission? 

I provide support to all areas of HighGround's work as Associate General Counsel.

What is your professional background? 

My background is in corporate and tax law serving nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations.

What brought you to HighGround? 

Joe, our Chief Legal Officer, brought me to HighGround. He believed in me and thought I would be a good fit.

We focus on strengths at HighGround. What are your strengths and how do they impact your work? 

My top five strengths are achiever, analytical, individualization, discipline and learner. I think these impact my work because I always want to learn more about an individual's needs, and I use my analytical and discipline strengths to achieve the desired result.

What is one of your most rewarding achievements or moments while at HighGround? 

I believe that people trust me at HighGround. That trust gives me the greatest sense of achievement, much more than any one specific goal.

Tell us about a favorite memory or story from your time at HighGround. 

One of my favorite memories each year is [HighGround President and CEO] Jeff’s kind words as my wife and I leave his Christmas Party. He always seems to speak the right words of encouragement.

Which of the HighGround core values resonates most deeply with you and why? 

Of the three core values [serve, steward, and shape], our clients may speak to how we shape lives, which I think makes sense because it’s an outward driven result. Internally, I see serve. Everyone at HighGround has a true servant’s heart, both in action and thought.

How do you like to spend your time? What are your hobbies or passions? 

Outside of work, I spend most of my time being a father and husband. My wife and I dedicate our Friday evenings to small group ministry. Although more nominal, I also serve as something akin to an elder at church. For personal hobbies, I enjoy reading classics, exercising and driving.