Leadership
Michael Thomas, Commander, United States Navy (ret.)
Commander Thomas’ Executive and Leadership Experience includes:
•Chairman, Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs Board of Trustees
•Commander, United States Navy
•Senior Advisor, United States Senator Richard Blumenthal
•Vice President External Relations, Achievement First
•Vice Chairman, Hopkins School Committee of Trustees
•Board Member and Interim Vice President of Development, United Way of Greater New Haven
Commander Thomas is a Graduate of the Yale Law School (1995), Wesleyan University (1990), and the Hopkins School (1986).
His military and business awards include:
• 2012 Connecticut Small Business Administration Veteran Business Champion Awardee
• 2013 Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame Inductee
• Bronze Star Medal
• Defense Meritorious Service Medal
• Joint Service Commendation Medal
• Navy Achievement Medal
'
Michael Thomas has a long background in entrepreneurial leadership. He developed SYNRG™ after working 9 years in anaerobic digestion, most recently for Vanguard Renewables which sold to Black Rock for $700M. As the Director of the Business and Development Strategy, he repeatedly ran up against the limitations of AD. He struck out on his own to create the solution.
Before his time with Vanguard he started two companies. His first, Harbinger Technologies Group, took advantage of his time in the Navy with expert training, consulting, foreign language, and intelligence services for homeland security and counterterrorism. His second gave back to the military. ArchAngel Ventures found, trained, and employed disabled veterans in the quick service food industry. For its work, ArchAngel Ventures was awarded the 2013 Connecticut Small Business Champion Award.