Jim Thomas:  

Life Original: After graduation, I joined the Navy in the Nuclear Engineering Program ('83). After graduating that program ('85), I changed programs to work in the Cryptology program. I completed several overseas tours (Scotland, Guam, and the Persian Gulf) and here in the states. I married in '86 to Janis. She was also in the Navy and we completed our tours together (less the Gulf war). We began our family in '93 during our last tour in the Navy. Our oldest son is Kyle (born in '93) and the younger is Kevan (born in ‘95). We got out of the Navy in '95 and went to work for government contractors in the DC area. I earned my Masters of Science in Information Technology Management as well as my undergraduate degree (Phi Kappa Phi) in Computer and Information Science from the University of Maryland. I've recently earned a Federal Certification as Chief Information Officer. I'm back at it again working towards a PhD in Knowledge Management. If all goes well, I'll earn my Doctorate degree in 2010. This will probably be the last go around for me as a student. I hope to start teaching full time when I'm ready to stop working full time. As a family, we're involved in scouting and sports. Both of our boys have been playing soccer since 2000 - Jan and I both coach. Kyle, our older son, and Kevan are both just about finished with the "Eagle Scout" requirements. They hope to earn the rank before the end of 2008. Though we do a great deal of camping as a family, Jan stays at home during the back packing treks. In 2005, Kyle and I completed a 5-day, 60 mile hike on the C&O Canal. Kyle, Kevan, and I attempted another 60 mile hike in 2006 though the floods in June turned us back. We do want to finish the entire 184 miles of the canal. I went on an adventure and climbed to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 2006 (~20,000'). – I would have loved to take the boys, but they'll have to wait for their adventure. Since then, I have taken Kevan and Kyle climbing in the highest peaks in Colorado. Each year since then we have made a trek to Colorado to climb some of the highest peaks in Colorado - all higher than 14,000 feet. We have our sites on Mt. McKinley (20,320 feet) in Denali National Park in Alaska for 2011. I started my own company in 2001 and continue to grow it as opportunities arise. Though corporate duties consume more and more of my time, I continue to consult to Department of Defense and other National customers in Information Technology modernization issues. Please don't hesitate to drop me a line if you are so inclined - especially those I knew in high school. Though I didn't attend any school for more than two years, I did make many friends. Though I might not have known you very long, many of you have made lasting impressions on my life. I thank you for the fond memories. 2009 Update: - I realized that continuing to work on my Doctorate was not the best use of my time, so I dropped it. It would have been worth nothing but bragging rights...Expand for more