Thomas E. Dernoga took office representing Council District One on the Prince George's County Council on January 29, 2002 after a Special Election to replace Walter H. "Mike" Maloney. Tom was re-elected on November 5, 2002. He served as Vice-Chairman of the County Council in 2005 and was selected by his colleagues as Chairman of the County Council for 2006.

Tom is a life-long resident of Central Maryland and has resided in Prince George's County since 1980. Tom and Lenora, his wife, bought a home in West Laurel in 1985, and have lived in West Laurel for over 20 years. Tom holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland College Park (1981). He also received a Juris Doctorate (with honors) from the University of Maryland School of Law (1984);and he earned his Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center (1988). Tom is a member of Prince George's County Bar Association, and has been a member of the Maryland State Bar since 1985. Tom maintained a general law practice emphasizing land use, environmental, administrative, and tax matters but now concentrates on County Council business.