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Andy Thomas Named New IRTA Executive Director
 Indiana
Retired Teachers Association (IRTA) President Eugene
Wease today announced that Andy Thomas, former
Deputy Attorney General and a former State
Representative, has been named as the new Executive
Director, effective September 1, 2008. Thomas
succeeds current Executive Director Ralph D. Ayres,
who earlier announced his retirement.
Thomas comes to IRTA from the Office of the Indiana
Attorney General, where he served as Deputy Attorney
General in the Government Litigation Division since
2006. Immediately prior to his work with the
Attorney General, Thomas served as the State
Representative for House District 44, located in
west central Indiana, from 2002 to 2006. Thomas’
previous leadership positions include teaching legal
classes at Indiana State University and Ivy Tech
Community College as an Adjunct Professor; Chief
Deputy Prosecutor of Clay County; Vigo County Deputy
Prosecutor; and serving as general practice attorney
at Thomas and Thomas Attorneys in his hometown of
Brazil, Indiana. Thomas received a Doctorate of
Jurisprudence from Valparaiso University and a
Political Science B.A. from Indiana University.
“We were blessed with a large number of outstanding
candidates,” said IRTA President Eugene Wease.
“That’s why we are so pleased to obtain such a
highly qualified leader for IRTA. We look forward to
working with him.” In accepting the position, Thomas
stated, “I have big shoes to fill in succeeding
Ralph Ayres. I plan to travel the state to introduce
myself to local IRTA members. I’m proud to be
working for Indiana’s premiere organization which
advocates for quality of life issues for retired
educators, who have dedicated their professional
lives to preparing young Hoosiers for the challenges
of life. These retired educators continue to give
through their volunteer efforts back to our local
communities.”
Founded in 1950, IRTA is the largest and oldest
organization in Indiana serving retired educators.
IRTA has nearly 23,000 members. Thomas' C.V. is
below.
RESUME
Andrew P. Thomas
33 W. National Avenue
Brazil, IN 47834
(812) 446-2369
athomas@claynet.com
Deputy
Attorney General-Complex Litigation
2006-08 Office of the Indiana Attorney General
Managed litigation against State of Indiana with
over $104 million in claims
Prosecuted and received convictions of 36 voter
fraud cases set for jury trials in Lake County,
Indiana
Litigated cases throughout Indiana
State Representative
2002-06 Indiana General Assembly
Authored, co-authored, sponsored, or
co-sponsored 114 bills (including HB 1368 COLA in
2006) which became Indiana law.
Prepared numerous press releases and newsletters
Managed 4 successful campaigns raising over $240,000
Endorsed by Indiana State Teachers Association,
Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Manufacturers
Association, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association,
Indiana Federation of Independent Business and
Indiana Farm Bureau.
Executive Director/Lobbyist of Nonprofit
Corporation
2000-01 Hoosier Daylight Coalition, Inc.
Helped recruit a group of over 3,000 members,
including business, labor, trade and government
groups
Lobbied the Indiana legislature
Managed employees and volunteers
Prepared media public service announcements
Managed annual budget of $1.2 million
Assisted in fundraising of over $1 million in
donations and grants.
Adjunct Professor
1994-97, 2003-06 Indiana State University
Taught 8 university classes entitled “Law and
Society” and “Mini-Law School.”
Adjunct Professor
2003-06 Ivy Tech Community College
Taught 7 college classes in Business Law,
Criminal Justice, and Math
Chief Deputy Prosecutor of Clay County
1995-2000 State of Indiana
Worked with CASA workers on many juvenile cases
Prosecuted or assisted prosecution of over 5000
murder, felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, and child
support cases.
Deputy Prosecutor of Vigo County
1992-95 State of Indiana
Worked with CASA workers on many juvenile cases
Prosecuted over 3000 juvenile, child support and
Terre Haute City cases in Vigo County
Attorney
1987-present Thomas and Thomas, Attorneys
General practice in most areas of law.
Appeared in over 70 federal bankruptcy court
proceedings, the U.S. Claims Court, and represented
the towns of Staunton and Carbon.
Represented and successfully appealed Citizens
against Brazil Landfill v. Brazil Board of Zoning
Appeals, (1991) 457 N.W.2d 1028.
Led implementation of the first computer network for
the law firm.
Securities and Administrative Divisions
1996 Indiana Secretary of State
Gave speeches throughout Indiana about
securities fraud.
Consumer Protection Division
1995 Indiana Attorney General
Gave speeches throughout Indiana about consumer
protection fraud.
Administrative Clerk
1982-83 Indiana Department of Correction
Filed documents for Indiana Department of
Correction.
Majority Caucus Staff Media Intern
1982 Indiana General Assembly
Prepared all media correspondence for Reps.
Budak, Mock, and Pool
Intern
1978 Indiana Department of Commerce
Researched issue of savings of home heating
costs.
Intern
1978-83 Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Worked as Beach Captain at Raccoon Lake
Recreation Area.
Education
1984-87
Valparaiso University School of Law
Doctorate of Jurisprudence
1978-84
Indiana University
B.A. Political Science, Philosophy
Graduated with honors in Political Science. Phi Eta
Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Pleiades honoraries.
Selected for Indiana University Study in London
Program.
Selected to represent Indiana University in the
Harvard Model United Nations.
Interests
Past or present memberships:
Eagle Scout, Rotary International, Clay County
Senior Citizens Board, Clay County Chamber of
Commerce, Brazil Library Board, First United
Methodist Church (Chairman of the Board of Pensions
of the South Indiana Conference for 8 years), South
Indiana Foundation of United Methodist Church, Clay
Civic Memorial Foundation, Wabash Valley Community
Foundation (charter member), Clay County Economic
Development Organization, and the Association of
Professional Genealogists. President of Clay County
chapter of Governor’s Task Force for Drug Free
Indiana for three years.
Have traveled to all 50 states, England, France,
Germany, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kakistan, and Canada.
fax (812)
446-3441 • e-mail athomas@claynet.com
33 W. National ave. • Brazil, IN 47834 • Phone (812)
446-2369
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