Retired since 2013, Thomas Briggs’ private sector career focused on capital and credit markets after service in special operations in the United States Navy. He translated his business experience to the public sector beginning in 1983 when he served as chief financial officer of the City and County of Denver under Mayor Federico Peña. After a few more years in investment banking, Mr. Briggs applied his experience to promoting economic development and macroeconomic stability abroad where he had the privilege of representing the United States in 54 transition, emerging market, and developing countries for USAID, the U.S. Treasury Department, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. He served as Executive Director of The HELP Commission created by Congress to report on America’s foreign assistance programs to the Congress, the President, and the American people.
In retirement he served as President of the board of InReach, a Colorado nonprofit; is a Nonprofit Consulting Partner at SVP of Boulder County; is a member of the Nebraska State and Schoharie County Historical Societies; is writing a series of family histories; improves his photography; and enjoys his children and grandchildren’s company whenever possible, including attendance at a lot of soccer games. Briggs is a Colorado native currently living in Longmont.
What led you to SVP? I was President of the board of a Catapult Investee.
What do you most look forward to/hope to accomplish as a Partner? Sharing my experience as an Investee. Helping other investees maximize SVP’s value.
What do you want other Partners to know about you? I have an abiding interest in access to mental health services for children and victims of abuse.
What is your motto? “Res ipsa loquitur” is my most-used Latin phrase. Aren’t mottos supposed to be Latin? I like to use it to point out the absurdities that surround us.
What is your most marked characteristic? Hungarian optimism. Ask me what that means.
When and where were you happiest? The best job I ever had was CFO for the City and County of Denver. My love affair with my late wife Phyllis only ended with her death. I loved growing up on a farm in Colorado. I am quite content to be retired and incredibly busy fulfilling my own agenda.
