As a core member of Spencer Stuart’s Industrial Practice, Thomas specializes in the transportation and logistics sector. Thomas has a deep background in human capital and leadership solutions with more than 20 years’ experience in broad-based industrial and professional services sectors. Thomas is passionate about unlocking business performance through empowered leadership and teams. His expertise spans board and C-suite search, executive transitions, organizational design, coaching, and culture and performance acceleration.
Thomas is known for his ability to provide strategic advice to executive leaders on topics including human capital and commercial and customer strategies, and is a respected counselor to peers and other senior executives — a proven people leader with a demonstrated commitment to mentorship and capability building. He is also a strong believer in the concept that culture drives performance and that strong, principled leadership is a critical ingredient to healthy organizational culture.
Industry and senior leadership expertise
- Prior to Spencer Stuart, Thomas held the position of vice president of global sales at American Airlines, preceded by his role as vice president of global talent and total rewards, where he was responsible for the strategic design and execution of the airline’s recruiting and performance management initiatives along with its compensation, benefits and retirement programs.
- Prior to his career at the airline, Thomas was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, serving clients worldwide in the areas of commercial planning, strategy, operations and organization, and was one of the leaders of the human capital practice in North America.
- Thomas has also developed leadership and industry experience in organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), US Airways, the Boeing Company and British Airways.
A graduate of Arizona State University, he earned a Bachelor of Science in finance Summa Cum Laude before receiving an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.