Chamber Photo
Centralia City Manager Michael Thomas
By Sigoruney Orstad
For the C/C Chamber of Commerce
Looking at Centralia City Manager Michael Thomas’ near-empty office, it’s not hard to believe it’s his second week on the job. However, with over two decades in government behind him, that may be the only indication of his freshness in the role.
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Thomas graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1996 and spent twenty years on active duty in the Air Force as an aviator. “I was not a pilot. I was a navigator, electronic warfare officer. Now I think they call it something different, but basically, what that means, depending on which Top Gun you prefer, I was either Goose or Bob,” said Thomas.
After retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, Thomas got his master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Oregon and transitioned into a career as a public servant. Post-graduation, Thomas took a position as city administrator for the city of Amity, Oregon, in July 2019, and spent nearly 4 years there before stepping down and taking an extended sabbatical.
Thomas was drawn to apply for the position of city manager of Centralia because of Centralia’s location, the natural beauty of the local scenery, and the great community.
