Ms. Thomas joined the RSO staff as Marketing and Development Director in December 2004 and assumed the position of Executive Director in November 2009. Before joining the RSO, she held marketing and promotion positions with Famous-Barr, a division of the May Department Stores Company, for nine years. Ms. Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications/Journalism from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, and a minor in Applied Music. She earned a Certificate of Non-Profit Leadership through Rockford College. Ms. Thomas received the 2020 Excellence in Leadership award from the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.