Introduction

A newspaper reporter once wrote of William ‘T.’ Thompson that “He seems to make the American Dream look easy”. While the dream is possible, Captain ‘T’ will tell you that it takes a flight plan, determination and smart work to achieve success.

A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Captain ‘T’ is a former Air Force instructor pilot and decorated veteran. He received numerous awards during his 7 year Air Force career including the Command Safety Award for safely bring in an emergency air craft.

He left the service to fly with Delta Air Lines and retired after 25 years as a senior Check Captain where he both instructed and evaluated Delta’s domestic and international pilots.

With a golf game that was as bad as Tiger Woods was great, Captain ‘T’ decided to put his time to better use. He finished law school, became a member of two state bars and founded The Summit Group Companies. Through growth, acquisitions and mergers, he built the company into a small conglomerate, which owned fast food franchises and financial services and engineering services companies. He has received national sales and marketing awards and was nominated as Inc Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year. His accomplishments have been chronicled in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and Black Enterprise Magazine and he has been featured on NBC, CBS, PBS and National Public Radio.

After failing at golf again, Captain ‘T’ accepted an appointed by Gov. Mike Dukakis as Commissioner of Aeronautics for Massachusetts. He was reappointed by the next two Republican governors, has the unique distinction of serving in both Republican and Democratic administrations and is the longest serving Commissioner in the Agency’s history. Recognized for his abilities at the national level, Captain ‘T’ was #2 on the short list for both FAA  Administrator and Secretary of the Air Force. He has served in numerous positions of leadership, been President of several organizations and Chaired several boards including the American Cancer Society, where he served on its National Board. His proudest accomplishment, however, is being the father of his two lovely daughters, Taylor and Sydney who are both better golfers than he.

Ladies and Gentlemen, fasten your seat belts, put your seat backs and tray tables up and get ready to Take Off with Captain William ‘T’ Thompson.