Prior to joining JMP, Thomas was in the financial services group at NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, now Banc of America Securities, where he worked with non-bank financial institutions in the commercial finance, consumer finance and mortgage sectors and completed more than 100 capital raising transactions and strategic advisory assignments. From 1992 until 1996, Thomas served as Assistant Vice President in Deutsche Bank's corporate development group in Frankfurt, Germany, focusing on strategic planning and business development.

Thomas holds an MBA from Stanford University and a Masters in Industrial Engineering from Karlsruhe University, Germany.