Ken Thomas is a developer. That much is plain when you meet him disembarking from his most recent trip to Viet Nam. “We must embrace the global village and rapid change,” he says. “There are limitless opportunities in South East Asia as well as locally.” and he lives the part through his 30 years of experience. He genuinely believes that development is a noble objective; improving the quality of people’s lives, creating opportunities. Development includes going through adversity and answering the question “Why?” and for who’s benefit?

Ken Thomas was the Chief Negotiator for the FSIN Gaming Agreement that today generates $100 million a year, shared by all First Nations in Saskatchewan. Prior to that, he was Chairman of Aboriginal Business Canada and presided over the most rapid growth of economic development, creating 10,000 businesses for Aboriginal Canadians. It was there that he learned about deals and financing in all economic sectors, both large and small. It comes from the gut and from the heart, a commitment to do “the deal” because it’s what he does better than anybody else. He sees patterns, anticipates opportunities and depending on the project, brings together team members from his vast network.

He is currently working with the government of Viet Nam to build three $1billion casinos and a $6billion nuclear power project. His road to success is paved with wow projects and every deal must qualify as a wow project with pioneering clients.

Back in Saskatchewan, his other passion is sustainable development and wind power. Working with SkyPower, owned by Lehman Brothers, he has access to capital for up to 1.5 MW of clean power ($3 billion). He was interested in sustainability and the environment long before it became fashionable. It is on his list of values and he brings it to life through SkyPower, generating commercial advantage for local First Nations.

He is mobile, responsive, competent and client-oriented, orchestrating deals that people will talk about for years after. He is a master of the “power nexus” of corporate and political life. “The power of initiative is yours for the taking. Nobody gives you power, you just take it,” he says as he stirs the imagination with compelling stories of changing the world.

Breaking the rules and inventing vivid new futures are his trademarks. For example he adds design to his deals by working with internationally acclaimed architect, Douglas Cardinal on sustainable communities. His latest deal is with the Yellow Quill First Nation just north of Saskatoon along the Saskatchewan River.

What he has is a track record, a record of deals by which he moved from abstract concepts to concrete working models. His professional services firm is focused on the success of his clients and their business.