Who is Tom Ceci and what roles does he play?

Tom Ceci is the co-founder of Ceci Bates Custom Homes and serves as the mayor of Pottsboro, illustrating his deep-rooted influence in both home building and community involvement.

When did Tom Ceci start building in the Lake Texoma area?

Tom Ceci began building in the Lake Texoma region in the 1980s, shaping his approach to quality and craftsmanship before founding Ceci Bates Custom Homes in 1999.

How does Tom Ceci's role as mayor relate to his building career?

Tom Ceci's role as mayor of Pottsboro is intertwined with his career as a builder; both roles are grounded in the community's trust and his commitment to integrity.

Notes From Our Journey

From twenty-six years of building custom homes on Lake Texoma, here we share about our process and what we've learned about design, materials, engineering, and the decisions that shape a home built to last for generations — the questions clients ask us most often, and the answers we give around the table in our design center.

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The Dual Legacy of Tom Ceci: Builder and Community Steward

The Dual Legacy of Tom Ceci: Builder and Community Steward

Ceci Bates

November 2, 2026

The people who shape a place over the long arc of decades are rarely those who set out with that intention. Instead, they focus on the work before them, year after year, until the place is subtly and indelibly defined by their presence. Such is the story of Tom Ceci, who began building in the Lake Texoma region in the 1980s, long before the founding of Ceci Bates Custom Homes.

Tom’s journey as a builder began well over a decade before his partnership with Scott Bates in 1999. These were formative years, building in the Lake Texoma area, where his approach to quality and craftsmanship was honed. It was during this period that Tom established the standards he was willing to uphold, the manner in which he engaged tradespeople, and the profile of work he deemed worthy of bearing his name. When Scott joined him, and Ceci Bates came into being, Tom continued to fortify the production side of the business. He remains a steady hand, overseeing the construction process once a design is complete, drawing upon the wisdom accumulated over twenty-six years.

In addition, Tom has taken on the mantle of leadership as the mayor of Pottsboro—a role that not only reflects decades of thoughtful conduct but also connects intimately with his work as a builder. The trust that allowed him to assume this role is, in many ways, rooted in the same care and commitment that has produced over a thousand homes across this community. The connection between the two roles is unmistakable, revealing a consistency of character that resonates both with clients who trust him to construct their homes and with citizens who trust him to guide their town.

The credibility of a builder is most clearly measured by the community that has known them the longest. Tom Ceci exemplifies this truth, balancing his dual roles with the same integrity and commitment he has demonstrated in his longstanding career. To learn more about the legacy of Tom Ceci and the team at Ceci Bates, we invite you to explore further at cecibates.com.