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. Living near the Front Range for over 30 years has been his longest time spent anywhere, so he considers himself a “transplanted” Colorado native. In those 30 years 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.
Thomas has also maintained his interest in outdoor activities by volunteering for Friends of the Peak, as a Broadmoor Outdoor Adventure Guide, as a registration official for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and as a Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon Operations Team member and Ascent Summit Aid Station Lead for many years. He feels extremely honored to be selected to be a part of the long AdAmAn history and is looking forward to its 100th Anniversary and many more years with the club.