Thomas appointed to Lipscomb Board of Trustees
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William Thomas, an executive with
Bridgestone/Firestone in Chicago, has been appointed to the Lipscomb University
Board of Trustees.
Thomas, regional engineering manager for the 25-state north central region for Bridgestone/Firestone, was seated with the board in its meeting Aug. 1.
“William Thomas has proven himself to be a leader in his church, his business and his family. He will be helpful in further integrating a knowledge of Lipscomb into the national corporate community through his work with Bridgestone/Firestone, and will continue to be a wonderful spiritual example to our students,” Flatt said.
A Vanderbilt University graduate and former Nashville resident, Thomas said he became familiar with Lipscomb by visiting the campus to distribute information about events at Schrader Lane church of Christ, where he served as a deacon until his recent relocation to Chicago.
“The combination of trying to strengthen a young person’s Christian growth and academic excellence is something I want to be part of,” Thomas said. “If I can serve the board in that capacity with hard work and some ideas I have to help Lipscomb go in the direction it’s already headed, then I’m very humbled by that and look forward to it.”
Thomas has been a frequent speaker in chapel services at Lipscomb and has also participated in the “24-hour Day of Prayer” which is held at the beginning of each academic year.
“When I was speaking to the students in chapel I asked them not to take chapel time lightly,” he said. “Beginning your day this way, getting focused on what God has planned for you before you even begin your classroom studies, is what sets Lipscomb apart from other universities.
“Lipscomb is a special place, one of the best universities in country. We just need to make more people aware of what we have here in Nashville,” Thomas said.
A native of Paducah, Ky., Thomas was a four-year letterman in football at Vanderbilt and was a member of the 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl team. He worked in management for United Parcel Service before joining Bridgestone/Firestone in 1995.
At Bridgestone/Firestone, he was presented the 2001 President’s Award and the 2003 CEO Award for Outstanding Performance. He is also a member of the first team of Bridgestone/Firestone Six Sigma certified graduates.
While associated with Nashville’s Schraeder Lane church, he directed the college ministry, assisted with education and tutoring programs and a mission program that has prepared more than 70 persons for mission work since 1994.