William Thomas and his twin brother Bob co-founded Gemini Properties, a real estate operating and investment company. The company’s focus evolved toward senior housing in 1989 with the founding of Senior Star. Today, Senior Star provides independent living, assisted living and memory support across four Midwestern states with approximately 1,500 residences.
Thomas currently serves on boards of trustees for the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Sooner chapter, Philbrook Museum of Art and the University of Tulsa. Bill earlier served as board chair for ASHA, Philbrook Museum of Art, as well as Tulsa Community Foundation, the largest community foundation in the nation during his tenure. He and his brother co-chaired two LIFE Senior Services capital campaigns, providing capital to build three state-of-the-art adult day centers. They are currently co-chairing the greater commitment capital campaign of the University of Tulsa.
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Tulsa recognized him and his brother by granting them their 2001 Leadership Award. The Association of Fundraising Professionals Eastern Oklahoma chapter honored them respectively in 2000, 2007 and 2016 as Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers, Outstanding Philanthropists, and Pillar Award recipients for philanthropic leadership benefitting the Tulsa community. The University of Tulsa named them their 2011 Outstanding Entrepreneurs, inducting them into the Collins College of Business Hall of Fame. He and his brother are inductees of the Tulsa Historical Society’s Hall of Fame. Most recently, the University of Tulsa named them as 2019 Distinguished Alumni.
Thomas was elected to the board of directors in 2017.