KATHY THOMAS –
Burlington, Ontario.
Kathy gained her horticulture knowledge through osmosis. Growing up on a farm near Rockwood, crop yields and plant health were everyday language around the dinner table. A great learning environment.
Morphing into a career at the head of Green Thumb Landscaping Limited was a natural progression. It is humbling to Kathy to know that she is one of the earliest “pioneer” females in the landscape industry. Integrity, reliability, and constant learning along with pride in training staff to do the best work they could, created a solid basis for the company.
Landscaping was not Kathy’s chosen career. In 1971, her late husband, John Thomas was the instigator. John passed away suddenly in 1993, leaving Kathy to continue to build a very strong and well recognized residential landscape company. Although there were often times when the challenge was brutal, it has been an amazing journey. So much so, Kathy had a great deal of trouble retiring!
Green Thumb Landscaping Limited sold in December 2020. Kathy continues to consult with the new owners, from time to time as needed.
In addition to landscaping, in 2003, Kathy decided she wanted a new challenge. The Bronze Frog Gallery in Oakville was created. The plan was to connect retail to service. good cross over of sales and services for customers. The gallery closed ten years later when the lease came up for renewal. The gallery still exists online.
Kathy was an active a Rotarian for 21 years, an honorary member of Rotary Club of Burlington Central for 28 years and continues to be a Paul Harris Fellow having achieved the Paul Harris Fellow Crystle Award. She was President 2011-2012. She served on the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation Board from 2015 and as Chair for the 2020-2022 term. Kathy currently is an Ambassador for the Legacy Planning Committee and a member of the HHSF Governance Committee.
Kathy has three adult daughters, eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter. She remarried in 2000. Jack and Kathy love to travel, volunteering and enjoy family/friends.
