About Thomas

Thomas was tremendously lucky, as a child in working-class Lane County, to receive a merit-based scholarship to attend higher education. What he learned in formal training has complemented the real-life knowledge one gets from working, volunteering, and living in a place like Lane County for three decades.

- K-12 in public schools within the West Lane County district.

- B.A. in American Studies, Carleton College (rural Minnesota)

- Certificates, Music Business & Modern Journalism (NYU online)

- Graduate credits from Southern Oregon University and Columbia University, in education. Additional credits from Lane Community College vocational programs.

- Graduated as nautical science crewman & science researcher aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer.

- Proud participant in NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) a decade and a half ago, and never stopped shooting arrows from then onward.

- Annual Giving Coordinator, United Way of Lane County (development work for an impactful organization helping kids thrive).

- Enumerator, U.S. Census Bureau (met and interviewed folks throughout Florence, Mapleton, Dunes City, River Rd/Santa Clara. This work in 2020 helped Oregon gain a sixth U.S. Representative and electoral vote.)

- President, City Club of Eugene.

- College Softball Broadcaster & Photographer, OSB Fancast.

- Vice Chair, WOW Hall board. Frequent volunteer at all-ages events, and long-standing board member.

- Vice Chair, Human Rights Commission.

- Governance Chair, Whilamut Natural Area Citizens Planning Committee (worked across cities, protected and helped restore the Kalapuya Talking Stones from defacement and graffiti).

- Advocated for affordable housing via Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee, and 2025 Consolidated Plan across Lane County cities.

- Over a decade in the service industry (local restaurants & hotels).

- DPSST-certified security guard, keeping businesses and events safe.

• Co-led the effort to do crucial roof repairs on the WOW Hall, which is a community center on the National Register of Historic Places. Fixing this gem of Lane County required a great deal of fundraising, working with private contractors, and having a transparent public process.
• Worked with Lane ESD School Board colleagues to hire a new Superintendent--with deep experience assisting rural/coastal Oregon school districts--at an efficient taxpayer cost to the district. Thomas was the loudest voice against exorbitant salaries for superintendents, while everyday workers struggle to get by!
• Successfully onboarded a fire engine that was offered to Lane ESD as a donation. This beautiful firetruck is now back in use, helping us grow more of our own local firefighters and increasing training for emergency services. This training program is open to HS juniors and seniors from all 16 Lane County school districts, and launched successfully in September 2025.
• Secured the renewal of $27 million for local classrooms (which the community got to vote on!), as a volunteer communications leader in 2024. In a time when it is challenging to pass bonds and levies, this local option levy passed with 70% of the vote.
• Personally invested in Lane County's arts and business communities by helping sponsor the expansion of Metro Cinemas from four theaters to seven, in 2019.
• Directly mentored over a hundred students to gain admission to leading colleges and universities, putting best fit above prestige for prestige's sake, organizing campus tours and coaching rising seniors. Thomas' caseload was the first to receive 100% admission, and overwhelmingly received renewable need-based scholarships to attend. It is nothing short of awe-inspiring to see the leadership that Thomas' former students are up to as adults, today.
• Rigorously volunteered to increase regional access to local leaders at City Club forums, codifying the right of all attendees to ask questions, regardless of membership status. Ensured that coastal issues and radio were included and acknowledged, as President. Helped give Oregon's most prolific City Club a new home (WOW Hall), which strengthened both organizations in a challenging time for nonprofits.
• Funded and organized impactful events through Eugene's Human Rights Commission, and stood for humanity and accountability in productive monthly meetings with Eugene Police.
• Was part of the successful campaign for Oregon to legalize same-sex marriage (a freedom and liberty issue), in 2013-14.
• Volunteered tirelessly to bring voters from all 36 Oregon counties to the State Capitol, helping them meet their legislators and advocate for healthcare and climate resilience at two lobby days. Our politicians should listen to everyday voters about their interests—not the lobbyists and bigwigs. Thomas worked as an unpaid intern to do that outreach after graduating as ASB President of North Eugene High School, in 2012.

- Future First Citizen Award, Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce.

- ”Everyday Hero,” KVAL News.

- Gates Millennium Scholar Award.

- LEDA Scholar Award.

- Statewide elected Vice Chair of Oregon's Stonewall Caucus.

- 2025 Best Comfort Food, Toshi’s Ramen (Thomas led the campaign at one of his workplaces).

- Toured the country twice with local leaders in music, in 2016 and 2017.

- Sponsored Metro Cinemas expansion and officially named Theater #6 “North Eugene HS 2012 Auditorium." This was in honor of his graduating class, and his background as Head A/V Technician of a high school auditorium that no longer exists. (North Eugene got a new building in 2023, which Thomas supported as a private citizen).