Meet Philip Thomas - DNA Candidate for change in High Rock
Biography
Philip Lingston Thomas Sr. was born on March 8, 1965 to the parents of Granville Thomas(deceased) and Eunice Pinder-Newbold. However, he was raised in the small fishing settlement of McClean's Town by his hard working grandparents, Obed and Edith Pinder(deceased). He has four brothers and eight sisters.
Philip obtained his early education at McClean' Town All Age School where he was successful in obtaining eight Bahamas Junior Certificates of Education (BJCs) and He attended Hawksbill High School where he graduated in 1984 with an Honors Diploma in Electrical Technology. After graduating from High School, he pursued a degree in Electrical Engineering at the College of the Bahamas in New Providence.
Desirous of developing his entrepreneurial spirit, Philip co-owned and operated a commercial fishing vessel where he fished the waters of the Bahama Islands. In 1992, Philip gained employment at South Riding Point Holding Limited (now STATOIL) in East Grand Bahama. On the company's ocean going tugs, he worked as a deck hand and quickly moved up the ranks to a mate and captain-in-training. Taking control of his own destiny, Philip ventured into establishing his own business. Capt. Phil and Mel's Bonefishing Guide Service, a tourism related business, was established in 1998 with a present fleet of seven flats skiff. Philip is also co-owner of the East End Sanitation Services Company established in 2007.
Elected to Local Government from its inception, he served as an East Grand Bahama Township Committee Member, Deputy Chairman, Chairman and Council member... with his most resent position being Chairman. He was also involved in a number of civic and cultural organizations in East Grand Bahama and Freeport including the leader of the first Red Cross Membership group in McClean's Town, Grand Bahama. He also served on the local board of works, town planning committee, and the hurricane awareness committee. Philip also served as President of the McClean's Town Conch Cracking organization where he's still an active member. He was the Vice President of the New Emmanuel Baptist Church Youth Department and a former assistant treasurer of the Grand Bahama Youth Advisory Committee.
An important aspect of his life is family -- his wife, Remelda (a pubic school educator), four sons (Philip Jr., a college graduate and an employee at Freeport Harbour as a Harbour Pilot, Phillano, a student at Florida State University) Peter and Dillard, one daughter, Ebony, daughter-in-law, Baronette and grandsons, Mateo and Philip Thomas III.
Other than his professional interests, Philip reads a variety of books about leadership, self development, and business and financial management. His favorite author is John C. Maxwell. He enjoys fishing, basketball, volleyball, softball and ping pong tennis.