Trevor Thomas
Deputy Communications Director
Trevor Thomas joined the Human Rights Campaign in October of 2007 as Deputy Communications Director.
Prior to HRC, Thomas worked for Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, serving in her executive office. There he directed rapid response and surrogate communications for the governor's cabinet and top advisors, including the First Gentleman. Thomas joined the governor's team in early 2006, serving on her successful re-election campaign. He was responsible for opposition research, confirming the accuracy of campaign advertisements and messaging, and executing rapid response. The Washington Post named the campaign as one of the "10 Best" in the 2006 election cycle.
Thomas, a journalist by trade, worked as an assignment editor and news producer at West Michigan's NBC affiliate – WOOD-TV. In this role, he helped cover state and national stories, including the 2004 presidential election, the 2002 state gubernatorial election and the attacks on September 11, 2001. He also previously served as a producer/reporter at WGVU – the NPR/PBS affiliate.
In July of 2004, Thomas served as a guest essayist for The Grand Rapids Press, speaking out against an anti-gay marriage amendment on the Michigan ballot. Following its publication, he served on a number of GLBT panels at Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, Aquinas College and at the 2004 National Academic Advising Association's national conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Thomas' work also includes a three-year tenure on the board of directors for the Network of Western Michigan: a non-profit that aides the local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcast journalism from Grand Valley State University. While in college, he served two years as Chair of Education for Grand Valley's gay-straight alliance – a position he created. He's also credited with starting a gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender speaker's program aimed at educating students on sexual orientation and gender identity. Thomas currently serves as an alumni advisor for the newly created GLBT campus center, expected to open in the fall of 2008.
A native Michigander, raised in the small town of Marne, Thomas' family – including his parents who are both retired auto-workers – still reside there.