Red Cross Blood Drive volunteer and donor Humane Society PetMobile Team Lead Care and Share Food Drive volunteer Habitat for Humanity volunteer Jack Quinn's Running Club Committee - Vice President of Sponsor Relations Salvation Army Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner volunteer (server, deliveries, and kitchen support) Pikes Peak Ascent Finish Aid Station Lead and Ascent/Marathon Race Operations Team Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race Official Friends of the Peak trail maintenance volunteer Broadmoor Outdoor Adventure Trail Guide |
Raised in a second-generation military family,
Thomas spent the early years of his life seeing America by traveling from state
to state between Air Force bases, likely setting up his lifelong desire to get
outside, climb rocks, and to explore whatever is just over the next rise. After his Air Force active duty career, Thomas’
dad went back to New England, where his family had lived since the late 1700s
(deep roots!). Through middle and high
schools in New Hampshire, Thomas was active in sports where he participated in baseball,
track, and summer soccer, as well as the city champion CYU basketball
team. At the end of high school, he received both four year ROTC and National
Merit college scholarships to attend the University of New Hampshire, where the
table was set to begin his own military career. In college, he remained active in running and
gradually attempted longer distances, including his first 15-mile run for
charity which started his interest in both distance running and volunteering. Progressing from software engineering to satellite communications
to cyber defense and counter terrorism, Thomas’ time in the military ultimately
brought him to Cheyenne Mountain and Colorado Springs. After the events of 9-11, Thomas was mobilized
back to active duty and helped stand up Northern Command which is responsible
for Homeland Defense. His last
assignment in the Air Force was as an Instructor in the Department of
Mathematics at the United States Air Force Academy. Thomas has hiked over 60 14, 000 foot peaks including over 30 summits of Pikes Peak. He has also completed many ascents of local peaks - Blodgett Peak, Eagle Peak, Mt Herman, Mt Rosa, Red Mt. He has hiked Mt Manitou incline since the 1990s to train for Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon, completing 15 marathons and 8 ascents. He has also raced up Mt Evans and twice completed the Breckenridge Crest Marathon across Peaks 10 through 5 and back as a benefit to the Outdoor Education Center. Living near the Front Range for over 30 years has been his longest time spent anywhere, so he considers himself a “transplanted” Colorado native.Since moving to Colorado, Thomas has become involved in many organizations and activities, most of them active outdoor pursuits. He has competed in alpine Giant Slalom Teamski racing and many running and cycling endurance events, including over 20 marathons; Full and Half Ironman triathlons in British Columbia and Kona, Hawaii; 15 Pikes Peak Marathons and 8 Ascents; and over 60 climbs to mountain summits above 14,000 feet. Other sports participation includes back country and alpine skiing, white water rafting, and SCUBA diving. Red Cross Blood Drive volunteer and donor Humane Society PetMobile Team Lead Care and Share Food Drive volunteer Habitat for Humanity volunteer Jack Quinn's Running Club Committee - Vice President of Sponsor Relations Salvation Army Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner volunteer (server, deliveries, and kitchen support) Pikes Peak Ascent Finish Aid Station Lead and Ascent/Marathon Race Operations Team Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race Official Friends of the Peak trail maintenance volunteer Broadmoor Outdoor Adventure Trail Guide |