Bob Thomas

As executive director of advancement marketing and communications at Michigan State University (MUS), Bob Thomas is responsible for a $3.5 million operating budget and a staff of 40 marketing and communications professionals. His daily responsibilities range from developing, implementing, and maintaining strategic direction for all university advancement programs and events to overseeing a number of related online initiatives, which involves oversight of the university’s web team. Bob Thomas previously served MSU (which is his alma mater) as assistant vice president for advancement marketing and communications. Over the course of more than 7 years in this role, he created and launched the communications and marketing plan for MSU’s $1.5 billion Empower Extraordinary campaign.

Mr. Thomas holds both undergraduate and graduate level degrees in business from MSU. He has held additional professional roles with the school, namely his time as director of annual giving and marketing programs and director of communications, marketing, and stewardship. Between 1986 and 1998, he held several positions with General Motors in Lansing, including assistant brand manager and advertising manager.