Tom Grable is a longtime resident of Lake Forest where he and his wife of 39 years, Julie, have lived since 1999 raising their family and building deep roots in the community. The current Vice Chairman of the Lake Forest Planning Commission, Tom has been directly involved in shaping thoughtful and balanced land use decisions that impact the city’s future.

Tom brings more than four decades of experience in housing, land use planning and community development. He retired in 2025 as President of Tri Pointe Homes’ Orange County–Los Angeles division, where he led large-scale residential developments and worked at the intersection of housing policy, infrastructure and regional planning. Throughout his career, Tom has focused on building strong, well-planned communities and navigating complex challenges with practical, results-driven leadership.

In addition to his professional experience, Tom has been actively engaged in civic and industry leadership. He served as Chairman of both the California Building Industry Association and the Building Industry Association of Southern California and contributed to regional planning efforts through oversight and advisory roles with other governmental organizations such as the County of Orange and the Southern California Association of Governments. His experience includes working with cities and counties across Southern California on community planning and development review and with the State of California on land use and housing policy matters.

Locally, Tom has remained committed to community service. He has participated in organizations including the Saddleback Valley YMCA, AYSO and Lake Forest Little League reflecting a long-standing belief in giving back and investing in future generations. He and his family also actively support a range of charitable and nonprofit organizations focused on strengthening families, expanding opportunities and improving quality of life throughout the region.

Tom earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton and completed professional certificate programs at the University of California, Irvine in project management, land use and environmental planning, and construction management.

Tom is running for City Council to bring experienced, steady leadership to Lake Forest. He is committed to keeping the city safe, well-managed and responsive to residents, while ensuring thoughtful planning and responsible growth that protects the character of the community for years to come.