Robert F. Smith
Robert F. Smith ‘85 is an engineer, innovator, investor and active philanthropist. He is also the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners a leading global investment firm that specializes... Read more about Robert F. Smith
John T. Thompson '76, CEO/President, First Electric Supply will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in mentoring from Indianapolis-based nonprofit organization, College Mentors for Kids at the 2016 inspire awards.
The Inspire Awards, hosted by the College Mentors for Kids, recognizes top mentors in the workplace and in the community.
Thompson credits the mentors and advocates in his life who gave him educational guidance and helped him to apply to college for his success. Knowing the value of those mentors made him want to give back to his adopted city of Indianapolis. Thompson shared, "The mentoring that I received from a child to an adult has been tremendously impactful on my life and that of my family so it is imperative that I mentor others. For several years, I'd visit a local tea shop from 10am-2pm and meet with any entrepreneur that walked in."
Dennis Trinkle, College Mentors for Kids, CEO, shared, "John is richly deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award. He represents what the Inspire Awards and College Mentors are all about, a commitment to community service, to mentoring, and to lifting up those who most need positive role models. Countless youth, civic leaders, and business leaders have benefited from John's commitment to their success and his caring heart."