About Thomas Kingsley

The February 2015 graduation ceremony marked the culmination of Thomas's MBA program. By day, he served as the operations manager for a large company, while at night, he dedicated himself to studying seven days a week. Throughout this intense period, he learned a great deal about himself, especially while navigating the pressures of balancing work and study with minimal sleep—averaging only four hours per night for months on end. Thomas says, "it was worth it, and it was an amazing journey."

Thomas made significant sacrifices, including giving up family time for evening and weekend study sessions, to earn his Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. He is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of his amazing wife, Christina Kingsley, whose encouragement played a key role in helping him achieve his goals.

Thomas was inducted into Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business for academic excellence for his Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

Only students ranking in the top 20 percent of the School of Business and Management are invited to become members of Delta Mu Delta. Founded in November 1913 by the Dean of Harvard University and professors from Yale University and New York University, Delta Mu Delta is a prestigious honor society recognizing academic excellence in business.

Thomas was inducted into Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business for academic excellence for his Bachelor of Science (BS) in Management program.

Only students ranking in the top 20 percent of the School of Business and Management are invited to become members of Delta Mu Delta. Founded in November 1913 by the Dean of Harvard University and professors from Yale University and New York University, Delta Mu Delta is a prestigious honor society recognizing academic excellence in business.

Dr. Thurman Gillespy (pictured right), founder of The Orthopedic Clinic in Daytona Beach, presented Thomas with the 2012 Employee of the Year award in recognition of his dedicated service and contributions to enhancing internal operations. Dr. Gillespy praised Thomas, saying, "Thomas is a team player with an optimistic attitude who consistently goes above and beyond. He is focused on delivering his best work every day and is a true asset to The Orthopedic Clinic." Thomas expressed his gratitude, stating, "This is a pleasant surprise; it's nice to be recognized for a job well done, especially after only two years of service to the organization."

Thomas organized a medical supply donation to aid humanitarian relief for the people of Haiti following the 2010 tsunami, which claimed the lives of over 222,570 people, injured 300,000, displaced 1.3 million, and destroyed nearly 97,294 houses in the Port-au-Prince area and much of southern Haiti. His father, Fred Kingsley (pictured left), assisted in coordinating the transport of these medical supplies from Thomas’s workplace to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando, which then arranged for the supplies to be shipped to Haiti.

The donation was recognized as the largest medical supply contribution in the history of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando. Thomas remarked, "It’s an incredible feeling when people come together to help those who need it most."

Thomas earned his Black Belt in Taekwondo under the guidance of Master Il Un Chung, 8th Dan Black Belt (pictured right), and with the support of Master Kim, 4th Dan Black Belt (pictured left). This achievement was in accordance with World Taekwondo regulations.

Master Chung also honored Thomas with an award for being the most dedicated student. Furthermore, in collaboration with Chunnam Techno University, Master Chung awarded Thomas a two-year Taekwondo scholarship to study abroad at the university in Gokseong County, South Jeolla Province, South Korea.

World Taekwondo is the international governing body for the sport of Taekwondo and is a member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).

Thomas competed alongside athletes from across the United States in a mountain bike endurance race, with race fees supporting conservation efforts for local trail systems.

Thomas navigated 22.6 miles of blue and black diamond trails, featuring rapid elevation changes and technical terrain. The course included 19.7% grade climbs, steep descents, and sharp switchbacks, taking him through diverse environments such as wetlands, flatwoods, rocky hills, and dense forests.

Thomas (pictured far left) volunteers at the Graham Swamp Conservation Area, contributing his time and efforts to support its preservation.

The Graham Swamp Conservation Team oversees 9.5 miles of cycling and hiking trails within a 3,084-acre conservation area, ensuring its upkeep and preservation.

The Graham Swamp Conservation Area plays a crucial role in preserving the integrity and quality of Northeast Florida's coastal ecosystems and their ecological functions. It provides a habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, including birds, mammals, and reptiles, contributing to the region's ecological health.

Thomas (pictured left) was contacted about a missing dog and joined efforts with Flagler and Volusia County Lost Dogs Search and Rescue to locate Molly, a beloved family pet who is blind and had been lost for three days amid severe thunderstorms.

Molly was found trapped in chest-deep water in the woods, cold and frightened. Thomas bravely waded into the water to rescue the pup. The search was completed in just three hours, with seven individuals involved (not all pictured). This was a fortunate rescue, as some searches can take much longer—one rescue, for example, spanned 30 miles and took three months—but in the end, it was a successful recovery, and Molly was safely returned.

This image offers a rare glimpse just moments after a rescue. Thomas remarked, "Typically, we transport rescued animals to a veterinary hospital for medical care, but Molly was simply cold, scared, hungry, and relieved to be back in her family's loving arms."