Today we’d like to introduce you to Ritchie Thomas.
Ritchie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After six years in the U.S. Army, I was sure I could glide into a great corporate job. The Army had taken a raw 18-year-old and turned me into military success on all fronts: a top-secret security clearance, a commendation letter from a brigadier general, and a key role as an encryption specialist helping Special Forces soldiers rescue POWs in Colombia.
Then came a rude awakening. Shortly after finishing military service, I began taking his case to civilian employers throughout the Atlanta metro area. I struck out every time. When I showed up in person, nobody cared about my military credentials. Even my formal black suit failed to impress; it tagged me as a stranger with no idea about today’s dress codes. I was a man adrift, struggling to connect with a world that didn’t understand a soldier’s transition. I was down but not out, I battled ever since to get my IT career back on track. Today, he is Deputy Director of IT at the Georgia Municipal Association, published author of The Mediocre Miracle, and TEDx speaker (as of Sept. 19) to address the numerous issues in a soldier’s military transition struggles.
Has it been a smooth road?
I exited the military in 2007 and walked right into the recession… low paying jobs, a cold civilian ‘welcome’, and I was mentally stuck in a soldier’s mindset. I realized I was seeing myself, selling myself, and branding myself to the marketplace as a solider, and soldiers don’t get hired, business professionals do. My biggest obstacle wasn’t necessarily the recession, hiring freeze, or lack of education it was that I had the mindset, vision, and language of a soldier and I did not realize I had to mentally transition to become a business professional.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
As a speaker, coach, and trainer, I empower my military listeners by equipping them with tools to think of themselves not just as members of the military community, but as members of the business community. I also encourage my audience to shift the direction of their pursuits from finances to fulfillment. Helping military veterans discover where they are, who you are and ultimately, where they want to go and whom they need to become to get there.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Being here 12 years, w/ my wife and two kids – I’ve been in love with Atlanta. I love the diversity, I love the food and I love the culture. I love that Atlanta embraces its southern identity. I love the startup community! I love the beauty and diversity that is Buford Hwy. I love that the civil rights leaders are acknowledged and celebrated. I love bougie Buckhead, I love the ‘hood. I love the countryside. I love the music, arts, and authenticity that is East Atlanta. I love that the Mayor’s name is Keisha. I love that The High Museum was turned into a club the last night of the Bali exhibit. I love that the rainbow is celebrated in Decatur. I love that Falcons fans love their team, through 28-3. I love that everyone is just as street smart as they are book smart. I love that Atlanta loves Outkast. I love that Atlanta loves Waffle House, I love that the late great Anthony Bourdain loved Atlanta (and that he loved Waffle House).
I don’t like that all kids can’t have the same resources that all private kids have, but that’s a national issue, not just ATL. 😒
Pricing:
- Investment in the Speaking Program 3,500+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ritchiethomas.com
- Phone: 6782010716
- Email: info@ritchiethomas.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ASoldiersCoach
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritchierthomas/
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