James "JT" Thomas Jr.
Father, Public Speaker, and Small Business Owner in Morgantown
Leader • Speaker • Mentor • Community Builder
James “JT” Thomas, Jr., a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and longtime resident of Morgantown, West Virginia, is a husband, father, community servant, and accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience in organizational leadership, nonprofit development, and professional management.
A graduate of West Virginia University and former football scholarship athlete, Thomas was recognized as a team leader and recipient of the John Russell Leadership Award and the Mountaineer Club Award, the highest honor a WVU football player can achieve. His early experience as a student-athlete shaped his lifelong commitment to teamwork, discipline, and leadership.
Professionally, Thomas has built a distinguished career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, specializing in Quality Systems, Compliance, and Operations. Today, he serves as General Manager of a major private multi-sport park, where he oversees a multimillion-dollar budget and directs operations for a sports complex, BMX track, ice hockey arena, and event center.
Beyond his career, Thomas has dedicated his life to community impact and service. He helped establish the Horace and Geraldine Belmear Endowed Scholarship at WVU, now valued at more than $103,000, supporting minority students. He also co-led the “I Am a Mountaineer” campaign with his son, retired NFL player James “JT” Thomas III, raising $10,000 for WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital.
His leadership extends into higher education and alumni engagement. Thomas was the first elected President of the WVU Black Alumni Association, a six-year member of the WVU Alumni Board of Directors, and Chair of the Global Chapter Outreach Committee, supporting more than 75 alumni chapters worldwide. He also served on the Visiting Committee for the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences. For his service, he was honored with the John F. Nicholas Jr. Award from the WVU Alumni Association.
An active member of Prince Hall Freemasonry, Thomas currently serves as the Grand Historian of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of West Virginia. He holds multiple Masonic honors, including Past Master of Mt. Moriah #11, Past High Priest of Allegheny #9, 33° Grand Inspector General of the Scottish Rite, and Past Illustrious Potentate, while also leading as President of the James S. Carper Commanders of the Rite. Additionally, he is a member of Panhandle Lodge #74 IBPOEW, the oldest Elks Lodge in West Virginia.
Thomas is married to Rochelle Thomas, a medical school administrator and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Together they’ve raised four children, including an NFL veteran, a WVU alumnus, and two younger children who continue the family tradition of scholarship, athletics, and community engagement.
Whether on the field, in the boardroom, or behind the podium, James “JT” Thomas, Jr. brings a powerful message of leadership, legacy, and lifelong impact. His story is one of resilience, service, and inspiring others to rise to their highest potential.