John Thomas Named Florida Tech’s Associate Athletic Director for External Relations

By  //  October 19, 2018

Thomas has more than 20 years of experience working in athletics

Florida Tech Director of Athletics Bill Jurgens announced John Thomas has joined the athletic department staff as the new Associate Athletic Director for External Relations. (Florida Tech image)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech Director of Athletics Bill Jurgens announced John Thomas has joined the athletic department staff as the new Associate Athletic Director for External Relations.

“John and I have had a close working relationship for years and I am excited to continue the productive relationship with him in his new capacity,” said Jurgens.

“His knowledge of Florida Tech and the relationships he has in the community will enhance our marketability and lead to increased awareness and support for the Athletic Department and the University.”

In his role, Thomas is responsible for developing and implementing an annual marketing plan to promote the Athletic Department and all of Florida Tech’s 23 varsity sports programs.

Thomas has more than 20 years of experience working in athletics, corporate relations and fundraising. This is his second stint working with Florida Tech athletics.

A former Associate Vice President for Athletic Partnerships and Director of Football Operations here at Florida Tech, Thomas oversaw the initiation and development of the university’s first football program, the design and implementation of comprehensive corporate sponsorship packages for athletics.

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A former elected official, Thomas served as Vice Mayor and City Council Member for the City of Melbourne, a member of the Airport Authority for the Orlando-Melbourne International Airport and on the Board of Directors for the Space Coast Economic Development Commission.

At the high school level, Thomas initiated, developed and was the first head football coach at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne. His teams won two district championships and made five playoff appearances in Holy Trinity’s first six years as a varsity program.

Thomas was selected District Coach of the Year three times by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association and was the school’s first inductee into their Hall of Fame.

Prior to coaching, Thomas served 14 years in law enforcement, primarily as a narcotics detective. He was cross-designated as a Special Agent by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and as a Customs Officer by the U.S. Customs Service before retiring in 2000.

Thomas and his wife, Debbie, live in Melbourne. They have three grown children, Josh, Matt and Danielle.

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