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Brister Gray Thomas

Brister Gray Thomas born June 22, 1967 is an American Advertising Executive and Philanthropist, known for American Legion Auxiliary Hawai'i Girls State. Thomas has garnered recognition for her dedication to the empowerment of youth, establishing themselves as a prominent figure in the community.

Early Life and Education

Thomas was born on June 22, 1967 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. She moved around with her family to Charlotte, North Carolina for elementary school at Beverly Woods then Roanoke, Virginia at James Madison Junior High and Vineland High School in Vineland New Jersey. She pursued their education at University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1989.

Career

Thomas's career began with her first official member of the Board at the YMCA in West Chester Pennsylvania. While she volunteered throughout her childhood in such adventures as hosting a field day during her eighth grade year to raise money for Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon which earned her 15 tickets to take her friends to the Philadelphia Phillies game. Throughout their professional journey, they have been involved in always giving back to the community. Her first position was with The Clarion Ledger and then WDBD as Account Executives in Jackson Mississippi. Then she moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia as the Fortune 100 world's Regional Sales Executive for Scott Paper Company (now Kimberly Clark) and Regional Account Executive at WAVY-TV 10.

Her work has focused on youth as while her professional work was flourishing she always also had a volunteer initiative, making significant contributions to her community. In Virginia she retired as a Chaplain for the Virginia Beach Police Department while also initiating a young adults group that grew from 7 to close to a hundred. She brought the March of Dimes walk to Virginia Beach and raised funding for Vacation Bible School for military children.

Upon moving to Hawai'i in 2000, Thomas worked for KGMB & KHON as an Account Executive and the military newspaper Ho'Okele as a Photo Journalist where she was nominated for article highlighting the SEAL mission.

Notable Achievements

Thomas's accomplishments include Scott Paper's Account Executive of the Year, WAVY-TV 10 New Sales Leader, The MOAA Chaplain of the Year, MWR Hawai'i Coach of the Year, Honolulu City Council Citizen of the Year. Their work has been recognized by being elected as the American Legion Auxiliary National Chaplain for 2023-2024

Personal Life

Outside of their professional endeavors, Thomas quotes that she 'married her hero' a Naval Officer and was blessed with three incredible daughters.

External Links

[Links to any official websites, social media profiles, or other relevant resources].