Jon R. Thomas
Encyclopedia
Jon R. Thomas was United States
Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters from 1984 to 1986.
, a Bronze Star, and Purple Heart
.
Thomas was educated at the University of Minnesota
, receiving a B.A.
in 1970. Upon graduating, he joined the United States Department of State
and served as a Foreign Service
reserve officer in Spain
and Switzerland
until 1977.
Thomas left government service in 1977, becoming president of TURFAID, an equipment distributorship.
He returned to the government in 1980, when he became a senior staff member of the Policy Planning Staff
at the State Department. In 1982, he became Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters. President of the United States
Ronald Reagan
subsequently nominated Thomas to be Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters and Thomas held this office from October 10, 1984 until April 18, 1986. In this capacity, he was the U.S. representative to the United Nations
Commission on Narcotic Drugs
. Thomas played a large role in the "internationalization" of the United States' narcotics control strategy.
Thomas also received a Master of Arts and Sciences from Vanderbilt University in 1995. He served as president and CEO of CIC Systems, an alternative energy company, from 1999-2004. He was an adjunct professor in international business at the Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business, Belmont University from 1989-1999.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters from 1984 to 1986.
Biography
Jon R. Thomas was born in Minneapolis on January 7, 1946. Thomas spent 1966 through 1969 as a member of the U.S. Special Forces, earning a Silver StarSilver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, a Bronze Star, and Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
.
Thomas was educated at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, receiving a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1970. Upon graduating, he joined the United States Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
and served as a Foreign Service
United States Foreign Service
The United States Foreign Service is a component of the United States federal government under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of approximately 11,500 professionals carrying out the foreign policy of the United States and aiding U.S...
reserve officer in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
until 1977.
Thomas left government service in 1977, becoming president of TURFAID, an equipment distributorship.
He returned to the government in 1980, when he became a senior staff member of the Policy Planning Staff
Policy Planning Staff
The Policy Planning Staff is the chief strategic arm of the United States Department of State. It was created in 1947 by renowned Foreign Service Officer George F...
at the State Department. In 1982, he became Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters. President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
subsequently nominated Thomas to be Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters and Thomas held this office from October 10, 1984 until April 18, 1986. In this capacity, he was the U.S. representative to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Commission on Narcotic Drugs
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs is the central drug policy-making body within the United Nations system. Its predecessor, the Advisory Committee on the Traffic in Opium and Other Dangerous Drugs, was established by the first Assembly of the League of Nations on December 15, 1920...
. Thomas played a large role in the "internationalization" of the United States' narcotics control strategy.
Thomas also received a Master of Arts and Sciences from Vanderbilt University in 1995. He served as president and CEO of CIC Systems, an alternative energy company, from 1999-2004. He was an adjunct professor in international business at the Jack C. Massey Graduate School of Business, Belmont University from 1989-1999.