Full Name
Bob Thomas
Job Title
COO/Executive Director
Company (Please input the full name of your organization)
Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Speaker Bio
Bob Thomas is the Chief Operating Officer and Integrator for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director for the Michigan Chamber Foundation. Bob Thomas is a widely respected chamber and association executive with over 27 years of experience in the nonprofit industry.
Bob has served as the primary operations staff member as Director of Operations (2008), Sr. Director of Operations (2012), Vice President of Operations (2017) and Chief Operating Officer (2018). Bob is responsible for day-to-day operations of the chamber including facilities, technology and information systems, human resources, and finance. Bob also assists with strategic planning, revenue development, membership, and meetings management. His accomplishments include leading the chamber to achieve three designations as an Accredited State Chamber with Distinction.
As Executive Director for the Michigan Chamber Foundation, Bob oversees the alignment and direction of its leadership programs, public policy research, and events related to free enterprise, competitiveness, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Bob has experience in strategic meetings and events, strategic planning, board governance, and communications and conducts training for chambers and associations across the country. He is a graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management (IOM) and the Leadership Development Program at the internationally recognized Center for Creative Leadership. He holds a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University. He earned his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2011 and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2007.
Bob served on the following boards and committees: US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management Curriculum Committee, Michigan’s Tourism Strategic Plan Advisory Committee, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals Board of Directors, and serves as the chair for the Michigan Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) Advisory Board.
He is the former chair of the US Chamber of Commerce IOM Midwest Board of Regents, the National Board of Trustees, and the Curriculum Committee, former chair of the MSAE CMP Committee, and former member of the MSAE Board of Directors.
He serves as faculty for the MSAE CMP Exam Preparation Course and the Institute for Organization Management speaking on strategic planning, board governance, leadership, communications, membership, events and technology.
Bob has served as the primary operations staff member as Director of Operations (2008), Sr. Director of Operations (2012), Vice President of Operations (2017) and Chief Operating Officer (2018). Bob is responsible for day-to-day operations of the chamber including facilities, technology and information systems, human resources, and finance. Bob also assists with strategic planning, revenue development, membership, and meetings management. His accomplishments include leading the chamber to achieve three designations as an Accredited State Chamber with Distinction.
As Executive Director for the Michigan Chamber Foundation, Bob oversees the alignment and direction of its leadership programs, public policy research, and events related to free enterprise, competitiveness, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Bob has experience in strategic meetings and events, strategic planning, board governance, and communications and conducts training for chambers and associations across the country. He is a graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management (IOM) and the Leadership Development Program at the internationally recognized Center for Creative Leadership. He holds a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University. He earned his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2011 and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2007.
Bob served on the following boards and committees: US Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management Curriculum Committee, Michigan’s Tourism Strategic Plan Advisory Committee, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals Board of Directors, and serves as the chair for the Michigan Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) Advisory Board.
He is the former chair of the US Chamber of Commerce IOM Midwest Board of Regents, the National Board of Trustees, and the Curriculum Committee, former chair of the MSAE CMP Committee, and former member of the MSAE Board of Directors.
He serves as faculty for the MSAE CMP Exam Preparation Course and the Institute for Organization Management speaking on strategic planning, board governance, leadership, communications, membership, events and technology.
