Tom is the son of Starfleet Admiral Owen Paris. Tom is an exceptional shuttle pilot. When the pressures of living up to the family name resulted in tragedy, Paris enlisted with the renegade Maquis, only to be captured and imprisoned by Starfleet. Given a second chance by Captain Janeway, Paris is determined to prove his worth. Tom's interests include 20th century Earth history and automobiles, rock climbing, and holonovel programming.

In 2375, he designed The Delta Flyer, a large warp-capable shuttle. In mid-2375, in his eagerness to help Monean scientist Riga, he ignored the Prime Directive, disobeyed a direct order, stole the Delta Flyer and attempted to destroy a Monean oxygen processing plant. Captain Janeway demoted him to the rank of Ensign and sentenced him to 30 days in the brig.

Starfleet History
2359-2363 Attended Starfleet Academy. Major in astrophysics, 87th percentile.
2363 Posted to U.S.S. Exeter NCC-26531.
2368 Promoted to Lieutenant, junior grade.
2369 Caused an accident on Caldrik Prime which killed three other pilots.
2369 Admitted to falsifying records to hide fault in Caldrik Prime accident. Discharged from Starfleet. Joined the Maquis.
Three weeks into first Maquis mission was captured by Starfleet.
Imprisoned for treason for 18 months at the Federation Penal Settlement on New Zealand.
2371 Released from prison when he agreed to help Captain Janeway locate the Maquis.
2371 Posted to U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656, Flight Controller. Field promotion to Lt. j.g.
2375 Designed and constructed The Delta Flyer, a large long-range shuttle.
2375 Disobeyed a direct order. Demoted to Ensign and sentenced 30 days in the brig.

Thomas Paris was first seen in "Caretaker" (VOY).