Dr. Thomas has 30+ years of professional experience including wireless communications, software, semiconductors, defense, and consumer electronics industries. His extensive experience includes building and leading cross-functional product development teams, strategic international partnerships, and diverse technical research programs. Previous roles involved domestic and international leadership in business development, operations, general management, and global program/product management in both startup and growth organizations.
In 2020, Dr. Thomas joined the EMP faculty as a Scholar in Residence where he teaches a range of courses including Leadership, Finance, Technology Entrepreneurship, Product Development, Resilience Engineering, and Digital Transformation.
Beyond his instructional role, Dr. Thomas is passionate about a sustainable and resilient life experience for future generations. His research interests include the dynamic relationships between human resilience, psychological development, and the resilience of complex socio-technical systems like critical infrastructure. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Resilience Engineering Institute—an organization dedicated to the dissemination of resilience knowledge, tools, and resources.
Dr. Thomas holds BS degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the UC Santa Barbara, an MS degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, an MBA from Santa Clara University, and a Ph.D. in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering from Arizona State University.