In this episode, we talk to Rear Admiral Cari Thomas, CAE, Chief Executive Officer of Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. Join us for an engaging conversation wrapped around Cari's personal journey in the military and how it prepared her for the association space, her passion about volunteerism, her leadership advice, and why family is so important to her.
Show notes
Full transcript here: https://bit.ly/3s9pjmA
Rear Admiral Cari Thomas is pleased to serve as the Chief Executive Officer, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. Since 1924, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) has provided more than $220 million in financial assistance.
With a career of service to the United States in both public and private capacities, she also served as the Executive Director the Navy League of the United States, on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Military Services, and on the Board, Navy Mutual Aid Association. Throughout her life, Mrs. Thomas volunteered for different organizations that help the disadvantaged, veterans, or animals.
Mrs. Thomas served her nation as a career Coast Guardsman for over 32 years as a commissioned officer. During her career, she commanded units both at sea and ashore. Rear Admiral Thomas also worked in marketing, financial management, personnel, constituency services and disaster management. She was named a United States International Maritime Organization (IMO) Ambassador in 2015.
Rear Admiral Thomas has advanced degrees from the Coast Guard Academy, Troy University, and the Naval War College. In 2017, Mrs. Thomas earned a Non-Profit Executive Management Certificate from Georgetown University. She became a Certified Association Executive (CAE) in 2021.
Cari Thomas’ personal awards include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, the Department of Defense Exceptional Public Service Medal, the Department of State Superior Honor Award, and various other personal, unit and campaign awards. She has been married for over 36 years and has an adult daughter and son-in-law.
