Peter H. Thomas has been a values based serial entrepreneur for more than four decades, specializing in real estate and franchising. He is recognized as one of the leading developers and leaders of his time in North America. Peter has developed billions of dollars in real estate projects, including shopping centers, apartments, condominiums, hotels and golf courses.
Peter has authored many books, has been featured on the cover of numerous magazines, and has been recognized with many
awards over the years including the National Caring Award – an honor shared by General Colin Powell and Laura Bush; and the prestigious Ernst & Young Pacific Region Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
For his outstanding commitment to values, ethics, entrepreneurship and quality of life, Royal Roads University was pleased to present Peter Thomas with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Urban Communities has a mission to improve people’s lives through the development and redevelopment of sustainable communities. It was built on the values of healthy living, friendship, joy, security, design, sustainability, and community. We call this profit with purpose.
With more than 185 dog daycare centers throughout the United States and Canada and 160+ in the pipeline, Dogtopia was one of the early pioneers in the dog daycare industry. It has had over 15 years to refine and perfect the model, including the model used for franchisees. As both an investor and franchisee, Thomas truly believes in the brand, the company, and the purpose it serves. Dogtopia is experiencing impressive growth and demand for the brand; flexibility of the model and the availability of prime territories which is only helping fuel the growth. Thomas recently sold a major share of his investment in the business with a valuation of approximately $100M.
Showing dogs the love since 2002, Dogtopia, North America’s fastest-growing dog daycare, boarding and spa franchise, has officially set its sights on Canada for its expansion plans, with 17 Open locations and 15 new locations set to open during the next 24 months.
In 2000, Thomas led the development of the Four Seasons Resort and Spa, in Scottsdale at Troon North, containing 188 Guest Rooms, 22 Suites and 44 Residential Units.
In 1984, Thomas founded Samoth Capital Corporation (SCC), a North American real estate financial services company and sold to now known as Sterling Centrecorp Inc. He served as chairman & CEO executive officer for the Toronto Stock Exchange listed company from 1984 to 2001.
Thomas founded Century 21 Real Estate Canada Ltd. in 1974 and served as chairman until he sold his rights in 1987. When sold it was the largest real estate network in Canada.
The Global Student Entrepreneurship Awards (GSEA) is a global competition for student entrepreneurs around the world. The competition provides student entrepreneurs with much needed mentorship, recognition and connections to help take their businesses and their lives to the next level.
It was in this spirit that Peter, one of EO’s founding members and Chairman Emeritus, created The Thomas GSEA Foundation to provide funds, leadership, and support for EO’s GSEA program.
The Thomas Foundation was established in Canada as a registered public charity by the Thomas family in 1990. The mandate of the Thomas Foundation is to assist organizations involved in mental health, children’s issues, others.
The foundation has provided all of the funding to date for the Thomas GSEA Foundation, which operates under the fervent belief that the world around us is better as a direct result of entrepreneurship. By providing mentorship, exposure, and wisdom by way of the GSEA program, we are helping young entrepreneurs realize their potential through growth and development on their way to success.
Through EO’s GSEA program, we are creating pathways for advanced learning, mentorship, and access to resources that will support their business endeavours and increase the likelihood of their successes.
The Foundation has committed $1.5M to the Canadian GSEA program over the next ten years to help revolutionize what’s possible for students who identify as entrepreneurs.
LifePilot is a program designed to teach the importance of values and living life in alignment with these values. This creates character and shapes who an individual will become. When your values are clear, your decisions are easier.
The Todd Thomas Foundation was founded by his family in the year 2000 to celebrate Todd’s life and honor his memory. The foundation is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona and is a component fund within the structure of the Arizona Community Foundation.
Todd believed that love could solve all of the world’s problems.
Founded in 1978, the Arizona Community Foundation manages 885 component funds, including 30 supporting organizations, with endowment and trust assets exceeding $556 million.
Peter has always made fun a top priority in his life. He loves cars, boats and planes, and music of all kinds, especially Elvis.
He has clocked thousands of miles on numerous Harleys and has recently graduated to a Can-Am Spyder. He’s an avid hiker, scuba diver, and exercises daily.
He loves movies and reading and hanging out with his wife, family, and friends. He has seen the world many times over and still loves to travel to new and exciting places especially while cruising on his yacht.
And most of all he loves to laugh!
