HI, MY NAME IS… Tim Thomas.

I’VE LIVED IN PHOENIX FOR 38 YEARS, AND I LOVE IT BECAUSE… I no longer have to shovel snow like I did as a kid growing up in Denver.

A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE INCLUDES… an early start. Ever since I was young, I have been an early riser. I typically get up between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. The first thing I do is get my coffee and check the news to stay up to date with my community. Then it is time for at least an hour of exercise to get the good endorphins flowing and bring a positive start to the day. After that, I am off to work supporting the women and men of the Phoenix Police Department at my employer, Phoenix Police Foundation. Running a nonprofit brings new opportunities and challenges every day. A typical day includes reaching out to donors, managing grant requests, completing business operations, and developing new social media content. My favorite parts of the job, however, are purchasing new equipment and technology to support the Phoenix Police Department and funding a youth program. By providing the department with their necessary equipment, we are helping the officers stay safe and helping them protect our community effectively. Once I am done with work, I like to head home to relax with my family, take the dogs for a walk, and watch a few shows.

MY FAMILY IS… small but amazing. My partner in life, Sheila, and our two dogs, Tanner, and Ava, live in a small historic home in Phoenix. We are also fortunate to have several cousins who live in the area.

ONE THING I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT IS… physical activity. For me, staying active is the key to everything.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WANTED TO BE A… fighter pilot. I have always had an interest in flying. I earned my private pilot license in college and enrolled in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Arizona. Unfortunately, the military was in reduction mode when I was a junior, and a pilot slot was just not in the cards. Luckily, I am still able to serve my community in other ways as the president of the Phoenix Police Foundation. I think younger me would be proud of the career I have formed and the impact I made as a civil servant.
THE ONE PERSON WHO MOTIVATES ME IS… my father. Even though he has left this world, there is not a day that goes by where I do not use the lessons he taught me. His wisdom keeps me on point and reminds me of what is important in life.

THE LAST THING THAT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD WAS… a practical joke. Working at the Phoenix Police Foundation, I have found police officers like to play practical jokes on each other. The other day an officer was getting promoted to the rank of lieutenant and of course they made sure their uniform was fresh and clean from the dry cleaner. While the uniform was hanging on the hook next to their cubical, a different officer swapped out the pants with a pair two sizes smaller. You can imagine the outcome when the officer went to get dressed. Don’t worry—the correct size pants were quickly returned, and everyone had a good laugh.

THE PERFECT DAY IS… spending time in Flagstaff during a heavy snow. Although I did not like shoveling snow as a kid, it is nice to escape the warm Phoenix weather and find a winter wonderland just a few hours north.

MY FAVORITE LOCAL NONPROFIT IS… of course, the Phoenix Police Foundation (PPF). I left a career of 22 years in healthcare to work for the Phoenix Police Foundation. The women and men of the Phoenix Police Department are amazing human beings, and it is an honor to support them daily. The Phoenix Police Foundation has some exciting events and announcements to come for the rest of the year. In December, the Foundation will host a Phoenix Police Department appreciation event at Let it Roll Bowl & Entertainment where the community and officers can have fun bowling together. And, of course, the foundation is always raising funds for important projects like the renovation of a Phoenix victim center, K-9 units, cadet programs, and more.

MY LIFE IS… blessed. I have amazing friends, love my job, love my family, and I’ve traveled all over the world. Anything else would be what I call a “First World Problem.” Which, of course, is not a problem.

THE BEST GIFT I’VE EVER RECEIVED WAS… being adopted by my amazing parents at the ripe age of three days old.

MY DREAM VACATION WOULD BE… a monthlong road trip in an RV through Italy.

THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED IS… to be kind, courteous, polite, and professional because what goes around comes around.