Employee Spotlight: David Thomas

"You get out what you put in . . . Everything that you thought was drowning you actually taught you how to swim."

This quote resonates with this week's employee spotlight team member, David Thomas.

We are thrilled for you to learn more about David. David is an athlete who has played sports his entire life. His career in sports has helped equip him with the necessary tools to succeed as a financial services representative with MassMutual Great Lakes and an Associate Partner with Podium Risk Management.  

Growing up in Canada, David was an avid soccer player. His dad loved the game of soccer, and that passion for the sport embedded itself in David. Upon entering high school, his attention shifted to basketball, where he made the varsity basketball team his freshman year.

Like many talented athletes, David wanted to continue playing. His talent and skill led him to Michigan State University, where he was a member of their basketball team. During David's senior year at MSU, he was a captain. However, this wasn't his most significant accomplishment. David's biggest accomplishment was being part of the Spartans' 2000 NCAA Championship team.

Following college, David played professional basketball for nine seasons. David was a member of the Cranberra Cannons and the Melbourne Tigers. He served as captain of the Melbourne Tigers, and his team won two championships in 2006 and 2008. David was also a member of the Canadian National Men's Basketball Team, where he served as captain and represented his country in the 2002 World Championships.

Before joining the financial services industry, David had a notable career as the Director of Basketball Operations at MSU. This opportunity was a full-circle experience for him, as many former athletes do not have the chance to work for the program they played for. In both instances, David was dedicated to helping the team continue to excel at an elite level.

With a life engrained in sports, it is no surprise that David's time as an athlete helped him adequately prepare for his career in the financial services industry today.

Teamwork. As a member of multiple teams, David acknowledges that teamwork is crucial for success. Playing college and professional basketball and traveling with those teams exposed David to many different teammates and opposing team players. Although some had similar backgrounds to him, many did not. The player's differences motivated them to connect on levels outside of basketball, which reinforced bonds and teamwork. Because of this, David finds it easy to work with a team, whether on the court or in the boardroom.

Communication. Along with teamwork comes communication. The best teams are successful because of their excellent communication skills. As previously stated, basketball exposed David to a lot of people. Because of this, David developed more vital communication skills to help him effectively communicate with anyone regardless of the situation. This skill is crucial in the financial services industry, and it's one that David has mastered exceptionally well.  

You can always give more. This trait is easier said than done. Most athletes give all they can at all times, but was "your all" enough? This is something that rings true to David. At the time, David felt as if he was giving enough, but in retrospect, he realized he could've given more. This mindset also transitions into financial services. You can always do more- you never want to look back and know you could've done more to achieve your goals.

David has valuable advice for new financial service professionals entering the industry:

(1)   Lean on your mentors. David joined MassMutual Great Lakes because of a personal relationship with MSU basketball alumni and friend Paul Davis. After joining our team, Paul and MMGL CEO, Manuel Amezcua, acted as mentors to David. He leans on them for guidance and support. David encourages you not to be afraid and ask questions. Our team is willing to help because everyone wants to see you succeed.

(2)   Have fun and enjoy yourself. The financial services industry is a fast pace industry. With that being said, you have to take it all in and enjoy yourself. You'll build a bond with our team, and everyone is here to help along the way.

(3)   Stay true to yourself and be authentic. Always remain true to yourself and be authentic. Doing those two things will allow you to help individuals achieve their goals. This profession will enable you to positively impact individuals' lives in ways they never imagined.

David, thank you for allowing us to learn more about you. We are truly grateful to have you as part of our MMGL family. We cannot wait to see what the future holds for you!

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