Russell Thomas, treasurer and controller of The Graham Companies, is retiring on July 31 after 23 years with the company.
“At 65, and my wife is retired, it was time for the next phase,” said Thomas.
In January 2001, when Miami Lakes was a newly incorporated municipality, Thomas began his career with the privately held, family firm that built the town.
“The timing was right,” Thomas said.
He previously worked with now Graham Companies President and Chief Executive Officer Stu Wyllie and former Vice President of Property Management Bob Whitehead at General Development Corp. and its successor, Atlantic Gulf Communities.
Thomas joined the executives at the Graham Companies as controller for the commercial real estate division, eventually transitioning to the corporate division and becoming controller and treasurer.
Over more than two decades, Thomas has witnessed the company grow to have 50 entities under its corporate umbrella.
“Since I’ve been there the company has added seven office buildings, increased the shopping centers by one, with the South Pointe development, and extended the Main Street section east of Northwest 67th Avenue,” he said.
That amounted to a 54% increase in commercial square footage, he said.
“The Lakehouse rental property [on Commerce Drive] and 6600 Main [mixed use] added quite a bit of residential space,” he said.
His department was also involved in getting a new barn for the Moore Haven dairy.
“That was a big improvement for that dairy, they could increase the herd substantially,” Thomas said about how the milking operations of the company’s agriculture division became more competitive.
“The company has done an excellent job, the way they’ve developed Miami Lakes over time,” Thomas said. “I want to come back and see Miami Lakes in 10 years and all of the improvements that have been made. …I’m very positive about the company’s future.”
Thomas has moved to central Florida with his wife Sharon and their pup Daisy. Their daughter and son-in-law live in Boca Raton.
He’s looking forward to finding volunteer projects, pursuing hobbies and golf, which he hasn’t played for 37 years.
“It was great,” Thomas says of his career. “I tell everybody I’m not going to miss the work so much, but I am going to miss the people.”