Paul Thomas
| Paul Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| 🏳️ Nationality | American |
| 🎓 Alma mater | University of Connecticut |
| 💼 Occupation | Entrepreneur, beverage executive, volunteer firefighter |
| Known for | Founder of Julian Hard Cider; creator of 8-Ball Premium Chocolate Whiskey; founder of HERO Racing |
Paul Thomas is an American entrepreneur, beverage industry founder, and volunteer firefighter. He is best known for founding Julian Hard Cider, one of the early craft cider brands in the United States,[1] and for creating 8-Ball Premium Chocolate Whiskey. His work has been covered by major publications including the Los Angeles Times,[2] the San Diego Union-Tribune,[3] Forbes,[4] ESPN,[5] and the Associated Press.[6]
Early life and education
At age sixteen, Thomas was featured in the August 25, 1984 issue of the British football magazine MATCH, which described him as a “young American” demonstrating emerging U.S. soccer talent at Alan Mullery Soccer World. The magazine reported that he received the Levi’s Youthwear Sportsman of the Week award, presented by Crystal Palace midfielder Peter Nicholas.[7]
Thomas attended the University of Connecticut, where he studied political science and played Division I men's soccer.[8]
Career
Julian Hard Cider
Thomas founded Julian Hard Cider in 2008 in Julian, California. PBS SoCal profiled the brand as part of a resurgence in traditional American cider production and identified Thomas as its founder.[9] In 2012, the Los Angeles Times quoted Thomas while reporting on the expansion of craft cider in Southern California.[10] In 2019, Times of San Diego reported the company’s tenth anniversary and identified it as one of the earliest craft cider producers in the United States.[11]
Thomas received the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Exporter of the Year Award for Region IX in 2014,[12] and the California Outstanding Small Business Exporter award in 2017.[13]
8-Ball Premium Chocolate Whiskey
Thomas created 8-Ball Premium Chocolate Whiskey in 2017. The product was highlighted by MarketWatch,[14] and the San Diego Union-Tribune noted its emergence within the growing flavored spirits sector.[15] Forbes featured the whiskey’s NASCAR sponsorship and quoted Thomas directly.[16]
In 2021, multiple industry publications reported that 8-Ball entered a strategic partnership with the Maloof family, expanding the brand into major Las Vegas casinos including Bellagio, Caesars Palace, and MGM properties.[17]
HERO Racing
Thomas founded HERO Racing (Helping Everyone Reach Out) in 2010 to support wounded veterans and Baja California orphanages while competing in SCORE International desert races. ESPN published multiple features about the team and its work with amputee racers.[18] The Julian Journal has reported on HERO Racing’s race results, including class championships and podium finishes.[19]
Public service
Thomas served as a volunteer firefighter for the Julian–Cuyamaca Fire Protection District. On July 3, 2014, an Associated Press photograph taken by Sean M. Haffey showed Thomas comforting a resident after a wildfire; the image appeared on the front page of the San Diego Union-Tribune.[20]
Teaching and academic involvement
Thomas has served as an entrepreneurship lecturer at the UC San Diego Rady School of Management.[21] He has also participated in entrepreneurship programs at San Diego State University.[22]
Awards and honors
Thomas’s awards include the U.S. Small Business Administration Exporter of the Year Award (Region IX),[23] the California Outstanding Small Business Exporter Award,[24] and the Levi’s Youthwear Sportsman of the Week award featured in MATCH magazine.[25]
Personal life
Thomas lives in Southern California and continues involvement in public service, motorsports, and the beverage industry.[26]
References
- ↑ "Julian Hard Cider: San Diego's Answer to British Tradition". PBS SoCal. PBS. 2012.
- ↑ Brown, August (October 5, 2012). "Hard cider earns spaces at the tap". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ "Julian Hard Cider — First U.S. Craft Cider — Celebrates Decade in Business". Times of San Diego. December 26, 2019.
- ↑ Engle, Greg (March 4, 2021). "Young Driver Quin Houff Is Out To Prove He Belongs In Nascar Cup Series". Forbes.
- ↑ "Amputees ready for Baja 1000". ESPN. 2012.
- ↑ Sean M. Haffey (July 3, 2014). "Wildfire in Julian, Calif". Associated Press / San Diego Union-Tribune.
- ↑ "Levi's Youthwear Sportsman of the Week". MATCH. EMAP. August 25, 1984.
- ↑ "University of Connecticut Athletics – Men's Soccer Archives". UConn.
- ↑ "Julian Hard Cider: San Diego's Answer to British Tradition". PBS SoCal.
- ↑ Brown, August. "Hard cider earns spaces at the tap". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ "Julian Hard Cider — First U.S. Craft Cider — Celebrates Decade in Business". Times of San Diego.
- ↑ "SBA Exporter of the Year – Region IX". U.S. Small Business Administration.
- ↑ "World Trade Day Export Awards". World Trade Day.
- ↑ "This chocolate whiskey makes Valentine's Day a little easier to swallow". MarketWatch. Feb 15, 2020.
- ↑ "Move over peanut butter whiskey, now there's chocolate". San Diego Union-Tribune. December 25, 2019.
- ↑ Engle, Greg. "Young Driver Quin Houff Is Out To Prove He Belongs In Nascar Cup Series". Forbes.
- ↑ "8-Ball Chocolate Whiskey Announces Partnership Deal with Maloof Family". BarBiz Magazine. February 8, 2021.
- ↑ "Amputees ready for Baja 1000". ESPN.
- ↑ "HERO Racers Are Back-To-Back Class Champions". Julian Journal.
- ↑ Sean M. Haffey (July 3, 2014). "Wildfire in Julian, Calif". Associated Press / San Diego Union-Tribune.
- ↑ "UCSD Rady School of Management Lecturer Listings". UC San Diego.
- ↑ "San Diego State University – Entrepreneurship Programs". SDSU.
- ↑ "SBA Exporter Awards". SBA.
- ↑ "World Trade Day Export Awards".
- ↑ "Levi's Youthwear Sportsman of the Week". MATCH. August 25, 1984.
- ↑ "Paul Thomas Interview and Profile". Times of San Diego.
References
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