Name: Adam Thomas
LT Class Year: LT 2019
Company Name: Forvis Mazars - Market Leader, Tampa
Publisher’s Note
Written by Laura Frost
Every five years, Forvis Mazars gives its professionals the gift of a one-month unplug — so naturally, Adam and I spent much of our conversation talking about his upcoming June sabbatical. Over coffee served properly in a real cup and saucer at Little Tina’s, the understated café tucked beside the Urban Cantina on Tampa Street, we compared summer travel plans.
My work/conference travel with Visit Tampa Bay to connect with medical meeting planners hardly stacked up against his itinerary of Prague, Vienna, Venice and Hvar. Adam was especially amused to learn that meeting planners actually attend meetings for meeting planners — something that sounds a little quirky when you stop and think about it.
From there, the conversation wandered through everything hurricane flooding in the Beer Can building garage, to remote work versus showing up in person, to the interpersonal communication skills of young professionals, the novelty and convenience of riding the TECO Line Streetcar, and the pride he holds for in his wife’s and her successful business named after their daughters.
In the end, the interview felt less like an interview and more like a conversation about life — from Alabama roots to Tampa connections.
1.) Tell us, why LTA?
For me, LTA was really about getting grounded in a new city. I had just moved from Raleigh, where I went through Leadership Raleigh, and I found that experience incredibly valuable. When I got to Tampa, I wanted something similar—a way to understand the community, meet local leaders, and get a better sense of what the city is focused on and where I could plug in. What separates LTA is how intentionally it connects you to that broader picture. It’s not just about leadership in your job, but leadership in the community—understanding the opportunities, the challenges, and how you can be part of the solution.
2.) Describe a time when the LTA experience impacted your life or career?
I remember seeing the list of LTA alumni and thinking they were all pretty big names in the community. I figured if I could get into Leadership Tampa, maybe some of that perception would come with it. Now that I’m part of LTA, I joke that people probably assume I’m more impressive than I really am—but I haven’t corrected them yet. In all seriousness, it shows how strong the network is. Being part of LTA carries weight and has opened doors I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
3.) What is a LTA benefit you wish everyone knew about?
I don’t think people fully appreciate how strong—and how practical—the network is. It’s not just about your class, although that’s where it starts. In my class, I met people in banking, legal, and across the community—basically people you want to know when something comes up or you need help outside your lane.
And it goes well beyond that. Between my class and the broader LTA network, you start to feel like there’s someone you can call for just about anything—whether it’s a business question, a connection in Tallahassee, or, in our case, someone pretty high up in TPD who could at least tell you how bad a situation really is.
It’s one of those networks where you joke that there’s someone who could get you out of trouble—or at least take a tase for you and stay standing—but in reality, it’s just a group of people you trust and know will show up when you need them. The alumni network is full of people who are continuing to make an impact in Tampa, and over time it becomes a group you can rely on both professionally and personally. That’s where the real value of LTA shows up.
Fun Facts About You/Local Knowledge:
- What are you most excited about right now?
In Tampa, I’m probably most interested in how the Rays story plays out—the team, the stadium plans, all of it. It feels like a pretty big moment for the area.
- Latest movie, book, streaming series or a combination?
Latest series was Landman (up through season 2) and latest book was Blood and Treasure: Daniel Boone and The Fight for America’s First Frontier
- Favorite spot to meet friends/colleagues for coffee, lunch or happy hour -
I just met Laura Frost at Little Tina downtown for coffee and have been back a few times since!
- For staycation in Tampa Bay, you like to……
Love dinners at Bar Terroir and having the Le Tour Grand with my wife.
- When out-of-town guests are visiting, you plan….
We are definitely going to go try to catch a tarpon around Egmont Key.
- Any hidden treasures/recent discoveries you’d like to share?!
Nothing in Tampa stays hidden long, so if I have any, I will keep them to myself while they last!
- Any upcoming initiatives/passion projects you want LTA to know about?
I’ve been following Sea Change at the Florida Aquarium—it’s a big project with new puffins and sea lions, but I also like the conservation side with the coral restoration and sea turtle rescue work. It’s pretty impressive to see that kind of investment and long-term thinking here in Tampa.