Our Advisors

Advisors are instrumental in any organization. The following individuals are crucial for the success of Thomas & Associates. Please click on a name to see a full bio:

Obi Timothy Nwasike, Senior Advisor: Oil and Gas

Mr. Nwasike is a serial entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry for over 30 years and has founded and developed several successful companies that include: Frontier Oil Limited, a marginal oilfield company that is developing Uquo field in OML 13 of Nigeria's onshore area; Alpha Mead Facilities & Management Services Limited (AMF) that is in a joint-venture partnership with The Gale Company of New Jersey USA and London England; New Wave Engineering Services WLL of Doha Qatar, a manpower supply and trade representation company; Chester Mead Associates Limited (CMA), a Nigerian engineering design and project management company delivering design solutions to local and international oil companies in Nigeria, and also participating in the supply of manpower to clients in the Niger Delta region.

His large network of contacts in the Nigerian and international oil and gas industry, built up over the past thirty years, adds value to any business development team. His network cuts across from oil and gas professionals, many in leadership (board-level) positions, to politics, international civil servants and community stakeholders.

He has worked for Shell Petroleum company for twenty two years and has widespread experience in process and project management of oil and gas field engineering facilities and systems, experience gained working on projects in Nigeria, the North Sea, Middle East, Caspian Sea and Barents Sea.

He is published over 18 technical papers and presented these at international events such as Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), Houston, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Conferences in Abuja, Nigeria, Offshore West Africa Conference, Namibia, and Arctic Environmental Conferences in London and Norway.

He holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wales, Swansea where he graduated with a First Class B.Sc. Honors degree. He also earned the British Institute of Mechanical Engineers Prize for the best graduating student in the University of Wales system in 1976. He also graduated with an M.S. degree from California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, in Environmental Engineering Science in July 1977.

Nabil Razzouk, Senior Advisor: Marketing

Dr. Razzuck completed his PhD in marketing from the University of Arizona. He has over 20 years of experience in marketing, health care, entrepreneurship and business development. He currently serves as department chair for marketing at California State University and is also a noted scholar and author with over a hundred publications. Dr. Razzouk serves on numerous civic, academic, city and business boards.

Waymond Rogers, Senior Advisor: Accounting

Dr. Rogers completed his PhD in accounting from the University of Southern California and is currently a professor in accounting at the University of California at Riverside. His industry background includes developing accounting models, systems design, tax and financial issues. Dr. Rogers is a well-published scholar in accounting and finance, and is consultant to many leading financial institutions, including Bank of America, CitiBank, and Wells Fargo. Dr. Rogers is also a CPA and serves as an expert witness on tax, finance and related issues.

Jerry Colapinto, Senior Advisor: Entrepreneurship

Mr. Colapinto has over 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship. He has developed a multi-million dollar diversified company, Design Gifts International Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of resin-based gifts and houseware products and one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of decorative plastic products for the home. His broad background includes venture creation, venture financing, development, marketing, relationship management. He is a frequent lecturer national-wide on creating new ventures and has personally developed and mentored over 100 new businesses.

S. J. Khoury, Senior Advisor: International Finance

Dr. Khoury completed his PhD in international finance from Wharton, PA and has over twenty years of experience in finance, banking and LBO’s. He serves as a Board of Director for the Philadelphia Stock Exchange as well as is a noted scholar in his area of expertise. Dr. Khoury is a frequent speaker on political, financial and banking internationally and serves on numerous civic and political organizations. Currently he is a professor of finance and international finance at the University of California, Riverside.

Jeffrey J. Sykes, Senior Advisor

Mr. Sykes has over 17 years experience in mergers and acquisition, divestitures, capital sourcing, and financial and entrepreneurial management. Mr. Sykes began his career with Arthur Young and company (currently Ernst & Young) in New York upon graduating from Alfred University with a dual degree in accounting and marketing.He subsequently received his CPA certification and went on to hold senior financial management positions in several emerging growth companies including VP Finance and Administration for a $100 million dollar multinational corporation. Mr. Sykes industry experience includes manufacturing, distribution, health care, service, and retail. He is a frequent lecturer to business, professional and civic organizations.