Jim Thomas (executive)
Jim Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Born | James W. Thomas 1959 |
| Nationality |  American |
| Occupation | Businessman |
James W. Thomas or Jim Thomas is an American business executive who held was former president of Sierra and Vice president/CFO positions at MicroProse, Rivian Automotive, and MapQuest. He is known for managing the initial public offering of MapQuest.[1]
Early life
[edit]Thomas graduated from Florida Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1972 and received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
Career
[edit]His first executive role was as Executive VP and CFO for the gaming company MicroProse from 1989-1992. From 1993 to 1994 he became the President of Sierra.
In 1995, he left Sierra to assist with the startup of MapQuest.[2] He became the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and helped MapQuest become a leading internet mapping company.[3][4] In 1999, he managed the initial public offering of MapQuest on the Nasdaq and sale to AOL, which was completed in 2000.[5]
In 2010, he joined Avera Motors shortly after foundation and became the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.[6][7] Avera Motors became Rivian, and he became the Vice President of Corporate Development.[8]
In 2011, he was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Technology award by Florida Congressman Bill Posey.[9] In 2017, he was the recipient of the Florida Institute of Technology distinguished alumni award.[10] In 2019, he was inducted into the Florida Institute of Technology Career Hall of Fame.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Bloomberg L.P., "Executive Profile James W. Thomas", retrieved 19 October 2017.
- ^ Faught, Andrew. "Adventures in Electric Vehicles: Going Off-Road with Rivian VP Jim Thomas '74", Florida Tech News, June 13, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ "Modus Operandi names two to board of directors", Florida Today, Melbourne, Florida, volume 43, number 167, September 14, 2022, page 1C. (subscription required)
- ^ "Local executives cited as top entrepreneurs", Lancaster New Era, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 124th year, number 38,564, Business Monday, June 16, 2010, page 10. (subscription required)
- ^ Howard, Mark R. "Economic Engine?", Florida Trend website, Trend Magazines Inc., October 31, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
- ^ Price, Wayne T. "Engineer a different kind of car designer", Florida Today, Melbourne, Florida, volume 45, number 193, September 26, 2010, page 3E. (subscription required)
- ^ Stock, Kyle. "Where did Rivian's electric truck come from? It's a long, messy road", The Orange County Register, October 6, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2022. (subscription required)
- ^ "Group Brings Together State Farm, Rivian And Illinois' Other Autonomous Vehicle Leaders", WGLT.org website, August 8, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ "TechXpo", Florida Today, Melbourne, Florida, volume 46, number 210, October 12, 2011, page 7B. (subscription required)
- ^ Lowenstein, Adam. "Jim Thomas to receive Florida Tech distinguished alumni award", Florida Tech News, October 18, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ "Jim Thomas: Electric Vehicle Visionary". Florida Institute of Technology website. Retrieved May 15, 2022.