Kili Class
2023 Conquering Kili Class
Role
U.S. Army Veteran
Location
Mount Juliet, TN
Originally from the California Bay Area, Thomas was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army in 2006 and served nearly seven years leading both small and large teams in the Infantry. Throughout his military career, he held several positions, including commanding the U.S. Army Presidential Salute Battery at Fort Myer, Virginia. In 2008 he deployed to Afghanistan where he led an infantry platoon at Outpost Restrepo in the Korengal Valley. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Army Parachutist Badge.
After separating from the military, Thomas worked in the defense industry for eight years in Northern Virginia. Currently, Thomas is a senior manager in the supply chain industry where he is focused on building the world’s safest, most efficient, and most sustainable last mile logistics fleet in the world.
Thomas is a graduate of Whitworth College where he earned a BA in Business Management in 2006, and the George Washington University where he completed his MBA in 2016. His charitable work includes serving as director and Vice President of a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of life for communities through education, hunger relief, team sports and youth development.
In his spare time, Thomas competes around the country on the professional competition barbecue circuit. In 2019 he won a World Championship at the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in Kansas City. He also launched a line of barbecue rubs and seasonings which are sold in retailers and barbecue specialty stores around the world. Thomas is an avid sports fan and a lifelong supporter of the Penn State Nittany Lions, San Francisco Giants, and the New York Jets.
Each new Conquering Kili class accepts the challenge to embark for the summit, a walk that represents the miles that many African women journey on a daily basis to fetch water for their families. While training for the climb, each team member works to raise funds and transform communities through the gift of clean water.