John Thomas

John Thomas from Abilene, Texas, is a Motivational Speaker, Training Facilitator, Project Manager and Marketing Consultant. John recently started his own company, No Podium Needed. He has a background as Chief Marketing Officer/Co-Owner of Creative Graphic Solutions for the past 11 years. He has held a variety of positions starting after college in outside sales and telemarketing, quickly ascending to Marketing Director.

Motivational speaking comes naturally to John. He has a relaxed, conversational style and can relate to any group. He has spoken to small church groups, Chamber of Commerce meetings, as well as large professional groups from New York to California.

John is also President/CEO of the Joseph Thomas Foundation that he and his late wife started in memory of their son. The Foundation raises money for children with medical issues in and around the Big Country. In addition, he founded the Lee Elementary childrens program, which provides Christmas gifts for underprivileged children at that local school and was a co-founder of the Kiwanis Club of Abilenes Aktion Club, which is based on the Abilene State Supported Living Center campus. These endeavors have provided ample experience in fundraising.

John currently serves as Governor of AAF District 10, and is the youngest Governor in the history of the 10th District. He has served as President of the Abilene Advertising Federation for two terms and now serves on the Past Presidents Council.

As President of his Home Owners President, he was given the arduous responsibility of collecting dues many from new residents who were not even aware of their long-outstanding debt. This was a unique opportunity for John to acquire collection know-how.

In 2009, AbileneBiz magazine named John as one of their 20 under 40 up-and-coming business leaders.

John graduated from Bronte High School and has a BS in Marketing from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. He has held a variety of jobs including the door-to-door sales of copy machines, managing an Enterprise Rent-A-Car location, and even running telemarketing rooms in San Angelo and San Antonio. Johns passions are his 11-year-old daughter, Emma, public speaking, and all things competitive. He enjoys games and politics.