Amy Thomas

National Director, Heroes MAKE America

Amy Thomas is the National Director, Heroes MAKE America at the Manufacturing Institute, the nonprofit affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). In her role, Amy oversees the growth and expansion opportunities for Heroes MAKE America – the Institute’s initiative to connect the military community with the manufacturing industry to build a pipeline of military-trained and industry-certified candidates.

Before joining the Manufacturing Institute, Amy was the Program and Events Development Specialist for Grantham University in Lenexa, Kansas. She was responsible for developing the institution’s national events platform, including the university’s commencement ceremony and student and alumni career branding workshops. Amy also specialized in producing programs to assist our nation’s transitioning military members and veterans.

As director of events at the University of Kansas School of Business, she played a key role in the development efforts to build a $70.5 million new business school facility during KU’s $1.6 billion capital campaign. Amy sits on the executive board for the Honor Flight Network of Kansas City. She is a former executive board member of the Council for College and Military Educators. Amy is a Certified Professional in Catering and Events.

Amy is a proud fourth-generation graduate of the University of Kansas.  She and her husband, Jerrold, a Marine veteran, reside in Kansas with their two daughters, Payton and Riley.