He eventually became known as the "local hero"—a title earned after skateboarding at Tulsa's famed downtown Bartlet Square, with Kerry Getz, Elissa Steamer, Brian Anderson, and Ed Templeton, following a skateboard demo held by the Toy Machine team.
Elissa | Elissa (singer) | Paddle steamer | Elissa Steamer | Clyde steamer | paddle steamer | steamer duck | Elissa Lansdell | Elissa Down | Elissa Aalto | Brother Jonathan (steamer) |
Thomas has explained that his nickname, "The Chief", was started by professional skateboarders Elissa Steamer, Erik Ellington and Jim Greco.