John Thomas is a third generation building tradesman from Pennsylvania. He and his family have been working tradesman from Operating Engineers Local #542, Ironworkers Local #420, Heavy and Highway Laborers Local #158, and Roofers Local #30. John joined Great Lakes Advisors to expand our firm-wide Institutional client presence with particular focus on Taft-Hartley and Public Fund clients.  John was formerly with Rothschild & Co as its Chief ERISA Plans Officer where he significantly grew the Taft-Hartley business into the largest asset and revenue under management segment and was a member of the firm’s Business Management Committee. Previously, John led the formation of Rorer Asset Management’s Institutional Services department, an endeavor which also became the fastest growing segment of the company’s business. John began his professional career as the youngest Director of Labor Relations for both the Bechtel Construction Group Inc. and later the Philadelphia Electric Company. During this time, he served as a management trustee on several Taft-Hartley plans and apprentice committees. John has also worked for the preeminent police, firefighter, public sector, and building and construction trades law firms of Jennings & Sigmond and Willig, Williams & Davidson, serving as a Labor, Employment, and ERISA counsel, as well as counsel to the Foundation of Fair Contracting. Upon the recommendation and endorsement of the International Building and Construction Trades Unions, John served as the standing Arbitrator for the Tennessee Valley Authority covering over 235 unions in 7 states and as special counsel to the Director of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. He is recognized nationwide by labor unions, construction companies, refineries, electric utility companies, and governmental entities as a leading expert in labor laws, alternative dispute resolution, business partnering, and coalition building. These initiatives have created thousands of union jobs and billions of dollars in wages and benefits over the last 40 plus years.

John is also a fellow at the Gordian Institute / RL Leaders and serves as a board member of World Save Advisors. Formed at the request of the United States Government to meet certain needs identified by the 9-11 Commission and to inject creativity into national security thinking, the Gordian Institute / RL Leaders consults to the whole of the United States Government. Governors, political leaders, businesses, and labor leaders have sought John’s trusted counsel to find and implement strategic solutions to complicated matters of national interest and business importance. John remains extremely active in youth related fund raising activities and has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for disadvantaged youth as chairman of the “Clay For Kids” charity. In addition, John helps to raise funds for The Homeless Veterans, The Wounded Warrior Foundation, Tunnels to Towers Foundation, American Cancer Society, Leukemia Society, American Heart Association, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

John graduated with a degree in Economics from Franklin & Marshall College and a Juris Doctor of Law from Villanova University. He is a member of the American, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia Bar Associations and teaches labor law through The Penn State University Union Leadership Academy and Drexel University. John is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and received their Outstanding American Award. He now serves on the Board of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (Pennsylvania), the National Wrestling and Performance Center, Beat the Streets, and as counsel to the Executive Director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association. He remains an avid sportsman, coach and athlete and enjoys wrestling, rugby, martial arts, skiing, golf, wing shooting, sport fishing, and horseback riding.

Education and Professional Credentials 

• Industry Start: 1996
• Franklin & Marshall College, BA
• Villanova University, JD