View source for Jamie Thomas

{{short description|American skateboarder}}
{{other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Jamie Thomas
| image = 
| image_capt = 
| birth_name = 
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|10|11}}
| birth_place = [[Dothan, Alabama]], U.S.
| death = 
| nickname = "The Chief"
| occupation = Skateboarder, entrepreneur
| years_active = 1991–present
| education = 
| spouse = Joanne
| children = 3
| website = {{URL|jamiethomasofficial.com}}
| footnotes = 
| height = 
| weight = 
| sport = [[Skateboarding]]
| country = United States
| turnedpro = 1995
}}
{{MedalTableTop|header=Summer X Games medal record|name=|medals=
{{Medal|Country|{{USA}}}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[Extreme Games|1995 Newport]] |Street Best Trick}}
}}
'''Jamie Thomas''' (born October 11, 1974) is an American professional [[skateboarder]] and entrepreneur. He is the owner and founder of [[Zero Skateboards]].  Thomas' nickname in the skateboard industry is "'''The Chief'''".<ref name="Free">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp47EUtP3Bs&list=PL0DECCCBD9B476DC4&index=1 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/fp47EUtP3Bs |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=March 11, 2013|author=RIDEChannel| title=Jamie Thomas Gets Karate Chopped, Ollies the Gonz Gap Daily, and More on Free Lunch |format=Video upload|date=March 6, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Early life==
Thomas was born in Florida.<ref>{{Citation |title=Jamie Thomas {{!}} The Nine Club With Chris Roberts - Episode 68 | date=October 16, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc5AlRTTNx0 |language=en |access-date=2022-12-23}}</ref> He grew up in [[Dothan, Alabama]], but also spent time as a child in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], and [[Palm Beach Gardens, Florida]], for his father's work as a nuclear engineer.<ref>{{cite web|title= Jamie Thomas {{!}} The Nine Club With Chris Roberts - Episode 68|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc5AlRTTNx0|website=The Nine Club on YouTube|publisher=Google Inc|access-date=August 11, 2020|format=Video upload|date=October 16, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Box">{{cite web|title=Jamie Thomas|url=http://blackboxdist.com/?rider=jamie-thomas-2|work=Black Box Distribution|access-date=April 5, 2014|year=2014}}</ref> Thomas started skateboarding in Palm Beach Gardens at the age of eleven.

==Skateboarding career==
In 1991, Thomas won a skateboarding competition in [[Panama City, Florida]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Ten years of Thomas: what constitutes a great skateboard career? What makes a great skateboarder? Is it talent? - Free Online Library |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Ten+years+of+Thomas%3A+what+constitutes+a+great+skateboard+career%3F+What...-a0118955185 |website=www.thefreelibrary.com |publisher=Thrasher}}</ref>

In 1992, Thomas left Alabama and relocated to [[San Francisco, California]], in order to pursue a career in professional skateboarding. At the time, he was sponsored by Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Vans and as a flow rider for Real Skateboards. Thomas turned pro for a short lived brand called Experience. Thomas went on to ride for [[San Diego]]–based Invisible Skateboards.<ref name=":0" />

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 ''[[Welcome to Hell]]'', one of the most influential skate videos of the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Soundtrack Syllabus: Toy Machine's "Welcome to Hell" |url=http://www.havoc.tv/blog/soundtrack-syllabus-toy-machines-welcome-to-hell |website=Havoc TV|date=October 20, 2016 }}</ref>

==="Leap of Faith"===
The Zero video ''Thrill of It All'' featured Thomas's attempt at what would be coined "[[Leap of Faith (skate)|The Leap of Faith]]"<ref>{{cite web|title=jamie thomas leap of faith|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrKPYGO3j5Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/XrKPYGO3j5Y |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=August 19, 2012|author=audiomasterk91|format=Video upload|date=February 7, 2006}}{{cbignore}}</ref> (an "ollie melon" over a handrail and down an 18-foot, 8-inch drop). The location of the "leap" was the [[Point Loma High School]] in San Diego.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-19 |title=The 'Leap of Faith' Was Skateboarding's Definitive Avant-Garde Moment |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-leap-of-faith-was-skateboardings-definitive-avant-garde-moment/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=VICE |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoke |first=Mateo |date=2023-04-04 |title=The Life of Legendary Skateboard Photographer J. Grant Brittain |url=https://sandiegomagazine.com/features/j-grant-brittain-trick-photography/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=San Diego Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> Although Thomas did not successfully land the trick, his attempt garnered notoriety.<ref name=":0" />

===Sponsors===
Thomas is sponsored by Zero skateboards, STRAYE footwear, Thunder trucks, Spitfire wheels, Bones Swiss, Mob Grip, olloclip, Active Ride Shop, and Official headwear.<ref name="Box" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Thomas On Official|url=http://theskateboardmag.com/2014/04/jamie-thomas-on-official/#.U0AKPa2SzwM|work=The Skateboard Mag|publisher=Strictly Skateboarding|access-date=April 5, 2014|author=Templeton Elliot|date=April 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407100819/http://theskateboardmag.com/2014/04/jamie-thomas-on-official/#.U0AKPa2SzwM|archive-date=April 7, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sponsors|url=http://jamiethomasofficial.com/sponsors/|website=Jamie Thomas|publisher=Jamie Thomas Official|access-date=September 4, 2014|date=March 2, 2014|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910031813/http://jamiethomasofficial.com/sponsors/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Business career==
In 1996, Thomas started Zero Skateboards through skateboard distributor [[Tum Yeto]]. In 2003, Thomas started the skate footwear brand [[Fallen Footwear]]. In 2006, Thomas won a regional "Entrepreneur of the Year" award from business leaders [[Ernst & Young]].<ref>{{cite news|title=In Board Sports, Insider Status Makes Gear Sell|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/24/sports/othersports/24brands.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=August 19, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 24, 2006|author=Matt Higgins}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Ian Michna|title=THE FUTURE OF ZERO & FALLEN WITH JAMIE THOMAS|url=http://www.jenkemmag.com/home/2014/06/24/the-future-of-zero-fallen-with-jamie-thomas/|website=Jenkem|access-date=July 9, 2014|date=June 2014}}</ref> On June 27, 2014, two-time ''[[Thrasher (magazine)|Thrasher]]'' magazine Skater of the Year [[Chris Cole (skateboarder)|Chris Cole]] (perhaps the brand's top pro at the time) announced 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".<ref name="Zac">{{cite web|author1=Zac|title=Chris Cole Leaves Zero Skateboards|url=http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/skate/skate-news/chris-cole-leaves-zero-skateboards/|website=Caught In The Crossfire|publisher=Division Media|access-date=July 9, 2014|date=June 28, 2014}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ask the Pros: Jamie Thomas|url=http://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/trash/ask-the-pros-jamie-thomas/|website=Thrasher Magazine|publisher=High Speed Productions, Inc|access-date=September 4, 2014|format=Video upload|date=June 24, 2014}}</ref>

In 2017, Thomas announced on Instagram that he would be joining a new footwear brand called STRAYE footwear, alongside [[Chad Muska]] and [[Antwuan Dixon]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theberrics.com/jamie-thomas-introduces-straye-footwear|title=JAMIE THOMAS INTRODUCES STRAYE -- A New Shoe Brand For 2017|website=The Berrics|date=February 21, 2017 |access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref>

Thomas announced on April 24, 2019, that he sold his collectible skateboard business, Garage Days Collection, to a collector.<ref>{{Cite web|title=079: Jamie Thomas|date=April 2019|url=https://wearelookingsideways.com/podcasts/079-jamie-thomas|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Looking Sideways|language=en}}</ref> Garage Days Collection sued the collector, Florida resident and attorney Matthew R. Wendler, in the San Diego County Superior Court a month later, on May 24, 2019. Two days later, Wendler sued Thomas and Garage Days Collection in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The California case was pending before the Honorable Janis L. Sammartino,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/28832080/Crossroads_Movements,_LLC_v_Wendler_et_al|title = Crossroads Movements, LLC v. Wendler et al (3:19-cv-01204), California Southern District Court}}</ref> and the Florida case was pending before the Honorable Roy K. Altman.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/28351920/Wendler_v_Thomas_et_al |title = Wendler v. Thomas et al (0:19-cv-61320), Florida Southern District Court}}</ref> The parties amicably resolved the matters in early 2020. 

==Personal life==
Thomas is married to Joanne and they have three children, born in 2003, 2006 and 2008. The Thomas family resides in [[Encinitas, California]]. Thomas is a Christian, with several board graphics that feature Christian imagery and scripture.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cashing In On God|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/2003/05/22/cashing-in-on-god/|work=Transworld Skateboarding|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|access-date=August 19, 2012|author=Transworld|date=May 22, 2003}}</ref>

Thomas has explained that his nickname, "The Chief", was started by professional skateboarders [[Elissa Steamer]], [[Erik Ellington]] and [[Jim Greco]].<ref name="Free" />

In January 2000, Thomas appeared with [[Ed Templeton]] in a print ad for the [[Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine]] to promote vegetarianism.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://skateboarding.transworld.net/news/jamie-thomas-and-ed-templeton-appear-in-print-ad-to-promote-vegetarianism/|date=January 11, 2000|title=Jamie Thomas and Ed Templeton Appear In Print Ad To Promote Vegetarianism|work=[[Transworld Skateboarding]]|access-date=August 12, 2018}}</ref>

==Trivia==
[[Blur (band)|Blur]] guitarist, [[Graham Coxon]] wrote an eponymous song in tribute to Thomas, which can be found on his solo album, "[[The Golden D]]".<ref>{{Citation|title=Graham Coxon – Jamie Thomas|url=https://genius.com/Graham-coxon-jamie-thomas-lyrics|language=en|access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref>

==Videography==
* Spitfire Wheels: ''Spitfire'' (1993)<ref>{{cite web|title=Spitfire|url=http://www.skatevideosite.com/skatevideos/spitfire/soundtrack|work=Skatevideosite.com|access-date=March 11, 2013|year=2005–2013}}</ref> 
* Invisible Skateboards: ''Invisible'' (1994)<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Thomas - Invisible (1994)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvq20BTi4z8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/wvq20BTi4z8 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=March 11, 2013|author=Don1970|format=Video upload|date=July 23, 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 
* Toy Machine: ''Heavy Metal'' (1995)<ref>{{cite web|title=JAMIE THOMAS HEAVY METAL TOY MACHINE|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVvafTSTQHQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/vVvafTSTQHQ |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=March 11, 2013|author=gamblingproblems|format=Video upload|date=March 27, 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 
* Etnies: ''High Five'' (1995)<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Thomas - Etnies High 5|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0obtP2SRtkE|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=March 11, 2013|author=skaidernation|format=Video upload|date=November 2, 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> 
* Toy Machine: ''Welcome to Hell'' (1996)<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Thomas - Welcome to Hell [HD] [720p]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1uzRwHYjWo|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=March 11, 2013|author=James Padilla|format=Video upload|date=November 29, 2011}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> 
* Emerica: ''Yellow'' – shared part with Adrian Lopez (1996)<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Thomas & Adrian Lopez - Emerica - Yellow|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiMlvy2YMUI|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=March 11, 2013|author=bigPantsLittleWheels|format=Video upload|date=November 23, 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> 
* Zero: ''Thrill of it All'' (1997)<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Thomas Thrill of it All|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knkVwaBHaYE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/knkVwaBHaYE |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=March 11, 2013|author=SoFaK1NgBeAsT|format=Video upload|date=July 31, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> 
* Zero: ''Misled Youth'' (1999)<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Thomas - Zero Misled Youth|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edQc-CzyT-c|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=March 11, 2013|author=skaidernation|format=Video upload|date=November 10, 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> 
* ''Landspeed: CKY'' (1999)<ref>{{cite web|title=Landspeed: CKY|url=http://www.skatevideosite.com/skatevideos/cky-landspeed/soundtrack|work=Skatevideosite.com|access-date=March 11, 2013|author=ParisIsHesh|author2=623skates|year=2005–2013}}</ref> 
* Transworld: ''VideoRadio'' (2001)<ref>{{cite web|title=Tom Penny - Nollie Hardflip|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvHRih9Y-JA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/VvHRih9Y-JA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=January 29, 2013|author=OstownArmySpoon|format=Video upload|date=December 28, 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Montage 3/4 - Transworld Skateboarding Videoradio '01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KftoAyra9Xg&playnext=1&list=PLCB5BF5B9C0C5AACD&feature=results_main|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=January 29, 2013|author=skaidernation|format=Video upload|date=November 12, 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Montage 2/4 - Transworld Skateboarding Videoradio '01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APNB0CKP_KM|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=January 29, 2013|author=skaidernation|format=Video upload|date=November 12, 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Montage 1/4 - Transworld Skateboarding Videoradio '01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgA7euYa2rs|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=January 29, 2013|author=skaidernation|format=Video upload|date=November 12, 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Montage 4/4 - Transworld Skateboarding Videoradio '01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4jTqy7EJX8|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=January 29, 2013|author=skaidernation|format=Video upload|date=November 12, 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref>
* Transworld: ''Chomp on This'' (2002)<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Thomas - Chomp On This|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw9KJPonGuE|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|access-date=March 11, 2013|author=skaidernation|format=Video upload|date=November 13, 2009}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> 
* Zero: ''Dying to Live'' (2002)
* Zero: ''New Blood'' (2005)
* ''Reason to Believe'' (2005)
* Thrasher: ''King of the Road'' (2004)
* Thrasher: ''King of the Road'' (2005)
* Thrasher: ''King of the Road'' (2006)
* Zero promotional video (2007)
* Fallen: ''Ride The Sky'' (2008)
* ''Bill Maher's [[Religulous]]'' (2008)
* Zero: ''Strange World'' (2009)
* Insight: ''Untitled'' (2011)
* Zero: ''Cold War'' (2013)<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Thomas skate videos|url=http://www.skatevideosite.com/skaters/145/jamie+thomas|work=SkatevideoSite.com|access-date=March 11, 2013|year=2005–2013}}</ref>
* Zero: ''Damn It All'' (2019)

==Video games==
* ''[[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Tony Hawk's Underground]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2]]'' (2020)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080108080408/http://www.blackboxdist.com/ Black Box Distribution official website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Jamie}}
[[Category:American skateboarders]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Dothan, Alabama]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Skateboarding video directors]]