What is the best thing that I love about my work? I appreciate the opportunity and the challenge of assisting young people who are in jeopardy of not completing their high school education. They are lost due to real world circumstances and education is lost in the shuffle of their lives.

What is my idea of happiness? That’s too vague. I’m not that difficult. I’m good with and without people. I enjoy cutting my lawn, fishing by myself and I like socializing.

What is my greatest fear? Failure. I see life as a competition, always have and always will be. I hate to lose and I use failure as motivation. This is the foundation of what I share with our youth.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Wearing my feeling on my sleeve. I care a lot and sometimes I care too much about what people think. It took me some years and I had to learn how to work through this potential, emotional stumbling block but my father gave me a solid response to this situation: “Half of those people will like you and half won’t, you will never please everybody”. “Get over it and move on”.

Which living person in my profession do I most admire? My wife, Rebecca. She is an 8^th grade history teacher and she is a Darn good teacher too. Her students scores are the highest in her district on state testing but she teaches real history and challenges her students to research truths, not the manipulated or fragmented version that caters to public policy or political pundits.

What is my greatest extravagance? Fishing equipment. I have an extensive/expensive collection of 30 different rod n reels, 12 tackle boxes, 3 backpacks full of hooks, jigs, bobbers, weights, etc. I enjoy fishing locally, as well as, taking trips in along the Texas coast.

On what occasion would I lie? I have learned that this character flaw is harmful. I work with fragile situations where even bending the truth burns trust. I try not use this tact in any of my working, professionally nor personally.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? The unpredictability. Anything and everything can happen in this arena that I work with. I’m always trying to think one play ahead or one probability ahead, like a game. I thrive in this environment but it can be stressful and challenging. 

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? When I was with DAYTOP Village, Inc., one of the world’s oldest therapeutic drug intervention/prevention communities. I learned more about myself during my 3 years of employment as a counselor and it helped me re-evaluate my principles.

If I could, what would I change about myself? At this stage and time, nothing.

What is my greatest achievement in work? Is watching a once lost, misguided, struggling student find confidence in him/herself with their academics and fulfilling that goal of obtaining a high school diploma.

Where would I like to live? I was born in San Angelo, Texas, about 100,000 population, Angelo State University, Air Force base with 2 public high schools and multiple private education entities. I live in the suburb of Dallas for 30 years but I want to move back to the country.

What is my most treasured possession? My heart. I truly believe in Paying it Forward.

What is my most marked characteristic? My positive Belief. I’m optimistically optimistic. I speak things into existence.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? Archie McAfee Gymnasium, Plano East campus.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? My home, Rebecca is a great cook.

What books influenced my life and how? Alex Haley “Roots” The first big book I read.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Prince, “Nuff” said.

Who is my hero in fiction? Bartleby The Scrivener by Herman Melville. His tragedy was my motivation. Hard Work Pays Off.

Who are my heroes in real life? My father, Allie Sr., Coach Keeling, Coach Richardson, Ben Kelly

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? I’ve seen thousands of movies, being a radio/tv communication degreed, but “Twister” is one of my favorites.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? I’m writing and rewriting my story every day.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My wife Rebecca.

What people or companies would I like to work with? When I was playing college football, I wanted to be on ESPN. Then I changed my major to Communication, Film and Radio. I have run away from that industry ever since. I will give interviews but I won’t conduct interviews.

What project am I looking forward to work on? I released my second book, “#MAKINGBELIEVERS, in October of 2025. The story of our Plano East 2023-2024 Boys 6A Texas State Championship Basketball season. I tell the story from my position as the assistant coach. The journey of the players, their sacrifice, commitment and belief has been receiving early recognition across literary formats. I’m allowing it to do what it does. The future is exciting, I have a third project which I think will have a bigger impact and become the next best seller. 

Where can you see me or my work? I’m currently working at our alternative campus, if I’m not knocking on student’s home doors in the community. Otherwise, I will be in the gym.

Here you can see my books: No Doubting Thomas “Hawg Whisperer” My Arkansas Memoirs, Https://a.co/d/h5v8uaZ and #MAKINGBELIEVERS, Https://a.co/d/fPJamAq

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? Keep up with that burning that fuels you.  

How can you contact me? Gregthomasconnect.com, Gthomaz08@gmail.com.