Jamie Thomas

For other people named Jamie Thomas, see Jamie Thomas (disambiguation).
Jamie Thomas
Born (1974-10-11) October 11, 1974
Dothan, Alabama
Residence Encinitas, California
Other names The Chief[1]
Occupation Professional skateboarder
Spouse(s) Joanne
Children Julien Tiger, James Ruby, Maximus Trey
Website http://jamiethomasofficial.com/
Summer X Games medal record
Competitor for  United States
1995 Newport Street Best Trick

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. Thomas's nickname in the skateboard industry is "The Chief".[1]

Early life

Thomas grew up in Dothan, Alabama, United States (US),[2] Thomas started skateboarding at the age of eleven.

Skateboarding career

In 1992 Thomas left Alabama and relocated in San Francisco, California in order to pursue a career in professional skateboarding. At the time, he was sponsored Real Skateboards, Thunder trucks, and Spitfire wheels under the Deluxe Distribution company. Thomas turned pro for a short lived brand called Experience. Thomas then went on to ride for San Diego-based Invisible Skateboards.

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 the one of the most influential skate videos of the 1990s Welcome To Hell.

Thomas launched the first part of his personal website in March 2014, explaining that he intends to "archive his 20-year professional skateboard career and share the work of those who have influenced him."[3] In August 2014, video footage of Thomas skateboarding in the newly designed TransWorld SKATEboarding park was published on the magazine's website.[4]

The Active Ride Shop, an American skateboarding retail business, recruited Thomas to the team in early 2014, and an announcement was released on March 4, 2014 in an online video that included skateboarding footage.[5] The Official headwear brand then announced Thomas as an addition to their skate team in April 2014. The brand plans to collaborate with Thomas to release a line of signature beanies and hats, stating: "As a 20-year veteran of professional skateboarding with an authentic do-it-yourself style, Jamie brings a unique level of diversity to our program."[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 then 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.

Sponsors

Thomas is sponsored by Zero skateboards, Fallen footwear, Thunder trucks, Spitfire wheels, Bones Swiss, Mob Grip, olloclip, Active Ride Shop, and Official headwear.[2][8][9]

Business career

In 1996, Thomas started a small clothing company through skateboard distributor Tum Yeto called "Toy Machine Zero Division." This company later became Zero Skateboards. In 2003 Thomas started the core skate shoe 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, Cole posted an announcement of 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]

Reflections

Thomas has stated that he constantly wishes that he is not a perfectionist: "Yeah, I wish that all the time. My whole life is wishing that I didn't need to have something a certain way. I don't like to use the term "perfectionist" because I don't think perfection is accomplishable. But I wish I wasn't obsessed with trying to make things perfect. Yes. It's terrible; it's a curse."[1]

Personal life

Thomas is married to Joanne and has three children (Julien Tiger, born October 30, 2003, James Ruby, born March 30, 2006, and Maximus Trey, born June 11, 2008). The Thomas family resides in Encinitas, California, US. Thomas is also a Christian, with several board graphics that feature Christian imagery and scripture.[14]

Thomas has explained that his nickname, "The Chief", was started by professional skateboarders Elissa Steamer, Erik Ellington and Jim Greco.[1]

Videography

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 RIDEChannel (6 March 2013). "Jamie Thomas Gets Karate Chopped, Ollies The Gonz Gap Daily, and More ..." (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Jamie Thomas". Black Box Distribution. Black Box Distribution. 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  3. ↑ "JAMIE THOMAS LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE". Jamie Thomas. Jamie Thomas Official. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  4. ↑ Kailee Bradstreet (18 August 2014). "FRED WATER SUPPORTS TRANSWORLD SKATEPARK REDESIGN AS TITLE SPONSOR". TransWorld Business. TEN. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "Active welcomes Jamie Thomas" (Video upload). Thrasher Magazine. High Speed Productions, Inc. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Official Welcomes Jamie Thomas" (Video upload). Official Skate on Vimeo. Vimeo LLC. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  7. ↑ audiomasterk91 (7 February 2006). "jamie thomas leap of faith" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  8. ↑ Templeton Elliot (4 April 2014). "Jamie Thomas On Official". The Skateboard Mag. Strictly Skateboarding. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "Sponsors". Jamie Thomas. Jamie Thomas Official. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  10. ↑ Matt Higgins (24 November 2006). "In Board Sports, Insider Status Makes Gear Sell". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  11. ↑ Ian Michna (June 2014). "THE FUTURE OF ZERO & FALLEN WITH JAMIE THOMAS". Jenkem. Jenkem. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  12. ↑ Zac (28 June 2014). "Chris Cole Leaves Zero Skateboards". Caught In The Crossfire. Division Media. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "Ask the Pros: Jamie Thomas" (Video upload). Thrasher Magazine. High Speed Productions, Inc. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  14. ↑ Transworld (22 May 2003). "CASHING IN ON GOD". Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  15. ↑ "Spitfire". Skatevideosite.com. Skatevideosite.com. 2005–2013. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  16. ↑ Don1970 (23 July 2008). "Jamie Thomas - Invisible (1994)" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  17. ↑ gamblingproblems (27 March 2009). "JAMIE THOMAS HEAVY METAL TOY MACHINE" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  18. ↑ skaidernation (2 November 2009). "Jamie Thomas - Etnies High 5" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  19. ↑ James Padilla (29 November 2011). "Jamie Thomas - Welcome to Hell [HD] [720p]" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  20. ↑ bigPantsLittleWheels (23 November 2009). "Jamie Thomas & Adrian Lopez - Emerica - Yellow" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  21. ↑ SoFaK1NgBeAsT (31 July 2012). "Jamie Thomas Thrill of it All" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  22. ↑ skaidernation (10 November 2009). "Jamie Thomas - Zero Misled Youth" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  23. ↑ ParisIsHesh; 623skates (2005–2013). "Landspeed: CKY". Skatevideosite.com. Skatevideosite.com. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  24. ↑ OstownArmySpoon (28 December 2008). "Tom Penny - Nollie Hardflip" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  25. ↑ skaidernation (12 November 2009). "Montage 3/4 - Transworld Skateboarding Videoradio '01" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  26. ↑ skaidernation (12 November 2009). "Montage 2/4 - Transworld Skateboarding Videoradio '01" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  27. ↑ skaidernation (12 November 2009). "Montage 1/4 - Transworld Skateboarding Videoradio '01" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  28. ↑ skaidernation (12 November 2009). "Montage 4/4 - Transworld Skateboarding Videoradio '01" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  29. ↑ skaidernation (13 November 2009). "Jamie Thomas - Chomp On This" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  30. ↑ "Jamie Thomas skate videos". SkatevideoSite.com. SkatevideoSite.com. 2005–2013. Retrieved 11 March 2013.

External links

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