Jamie Thomas (born October 11, 1974) is an American professional skateboarder and skateboard industry entrepreneur. Thomas is the owner and founder of Zero Skateboards and Fallen Footwear, until he announced its closure in January 2017. Thomas' nickname in the skateboard industry is "The Chief".[1]
Early life
Thomas was born in Florida.[2] He grew up in Dothan, Alabama, but also spent time as a child in Atlanta, Georgia, and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, for his father's work as a nuclear engineer.[3][4] Thomas started skateboarding in Palm Beach Gardens at the age of eleven.
In 1992, Thomas left Alabama and relocated to San Francisco, California, in order to pursue a career in professional skateboarding. At the time, he was sponsored by Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Vans and as a flow rider for Real Skateboards. Thomas turned pro for a short lived brand called Experience. Thomas went on to ride for San Diego–based Invisible Skateboards.[5]
After relocating to Southern California in 1994, Thomas was featured on the cover of TransWorld SKATEboarding magazine and filmed video parts for Spitfire and Invisible. In 1995 Thomas left Invisible to join skateboarder/artist Ed Templeton at Toy Machine Skateboards. Thomas filmed and directed two Toy Machine videos, the second one being Welcome to Hell, one of the most influential skate videos of the 1990s.[6]
"Leap of Faith"
The Zero video Thrill Of It All featured Thomas's attempt at what would be coined "The Leap of Faith"[7] (an "ollie melon" over a handrail and down an 18-foot, 8-inch drop). The location of the "leap" was the Point Loma High School in San Diego. Although Thomas did not successfully land the trick, his attempt garnered notoriety.[5]
Sponsors
Thomas is sponsored by Zero skateboards, STRAYE footwear, Thunder trucks, Spitfire wheels, Bones Swiss, Mob Grip, olloclip, Active Ride Shop, and Official headwear.[4][8][9]
Business career
In 1996, Thomas started Zero Skateboards through skateboard distributor Tum Yeto. In 2003, Thomas started the skate footwear brand Fallen Footwear. In 2006, Thomas won a regional "Entrepreneur of the Year" award from business leaders Ernst & Young.[10]
In a June 2014 interview with the Jenkem online publication, Thomas explained that the Dwindle Distribution skateboard company—responsible for the Enjoi, Blind Skateboards, Almost Skateboards, Darkstar and Cliché Skateboards brands—will take over "the sales, finance, production and distribution aspects" of the Zero brand, without citing a time frame. Thomas further explained that the Zero employees will remain independent and will focus on "the team, marketing and creative aspects" of the brand.[11] On June 27, 2014, two-time Thrasher magazine Skater of the Year Chris Cole (perhaps the brand's top pro at the time) announced his departure from Zero on the social media platform Instagram, without a corresponding reason; however, a reply from the Zero Instagram account thanked Cole for his "loyalty & dedication".[12]
Thomas explained in a June 24, 2014, interview with the Active brand's online media channel that core skateboard brands will need to remain authentic to survive in the marketplace. He also revealed that he continues to enjoy the process of working in collaboration with sponsors and companies on projects, and recommended skateboarding projects to the audience for motivational benefits.[13]
In 2017, Thomas announced on Instagram that he would be joining a new footwear brand called STRAYE footwear, alongside Chad Muska and Antwuan Dixon.[14]
Thomas announced on April 24, 2019, that he sold his collectible skateboard business, Garage Days Collection, to a collector.[15] Garage Days Collection sued the collector, Florida resident and attorney Matthew R. Wendler, in the San Diego County Superior Court a month later, on May 24, 2019. Two days later, Wendler sued Thomas and Garage Days Collection in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The California case was pending before the Honorable Janis L. Sammartino,[16] and the Florida case was pending before the Honorable Roy K. Altman.[17] The parties amicably resolved the matters in early 2020.
Personal life
Thomas is married to Joanne and they have three children, born in 2003, 2006 and 2008. The Thomas family resides in Encinitas, California. Thomas is a Christian, with several board graphics that feature Christian imagery and scripture.[18]
^audiomasterk91 (February 7, 2006). "jamie thomas leap of faith"(Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^Templeton Elliot (April 4, 2014). "Jamie Thomas On Official". The Skateboard Mag. Strictly Skateboarding. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
^"Sponsors". Jamie Thomas. Jamie Thomas Official. March 2, 2014. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
^"Spitfire". Skatevideosite.com. 2005–2013. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
^Don1970 (July 23, 2008). "Jamie Thomas - Invisible (1994)"(Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^SoFaK1NgBeAsT (July 31, 2012). "Jamie Thomas Thrill of it All"(Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ParisIsHesh; 623skates (2005–2013). "Landspeed: CKY". Skatevideosite.com. Retrieved March 11, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^OstownArmySpoon (December 28, 2008). "Tom Penny - Nollie Hardflip"(Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
