Recognizing Our Best: Scott Thomas

If Scott Thomas can help anyone — especially a kid, veteran or first responder — he’ll gladly do it. That’s because Scott, associate vice president of client care at Cox Automotive in Mission, Kansas, doesn’t make empty promises. He “walks the walk.”

Around Thanksgiving in 2022, Scott’s wife — an administrator at a local school — told him about a family in the district whose home had suffered major damage due to a fire, rendering it unlivable.

The family, including three kids and two grandparents, was devastated. With the holidays on the horizon, Scott didn’t want such a tragic incident to ruin what’s supposed to be a joyous time of year.

He immediately reached out to managers and above in his organization who lived or worked in the area. Word even spread to colleagues who lived out of state. Together, they sent gifts to the family, including everything on the kids’ holiday wish lists (Legos, a telescope, slime kits, books and more), as well as clothes and gift cards for food, fuel and more. They even filled a request for their pet rat, who needed a new crate and chew toys.

Roger Welsh, senior manager of technical customer care at Cox Automotive in Mission, was one of many who contributed to the family. He said Scott’s actions highlight his character.

“Scott went out of his way to organize a fundraiser, bringing us all together to provide the needed support,” Roger said. “He donated and inspired others to contribute, demonstrating his ability to lead by example.”

A selfless approach

Scott once learned that a youth cheerleader from his Olathe, Kansas, neighborhood was selling candy bars for a fundraiser to hold a banquet. Scott bought $150 worth of candy bars — not for himself, but to distribute to other neighbors “and hopefully put a smile on their faces.”

These stories illustrate Scott’s pay-it-forward mentality and how far he’ll go to help others in need. It’s also why he’s earned the Governor James M. Cox Award, one of the highest honors in our company, granted to those who embody our Purpose of making the world a better place.

Embodying Cox’s values

Scott’s emphasis on giving back to his community and helping others is rooted in examples set for him by his dad, who once volunteered to coach a youth football team comprising special-needs kids. Even though his father had already been coaching another team and working full time, he put in the extra hours and days to help because, as he said, “every kid deserves to have a chance to play sports.” This was one of the many times Scott watched his dad step up to help neighborhood kids. So when Scott volunteers to rebuild a daycare playground or paint a disabled veteran’s home, donates money to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (a nonprofit that cares for families of fallen first responders and wounded military veterans) or helps an aspiring Eagle Scout start a toy drive benefiting a local children’s hospital (Scott himself purchased about 45 books, toys and games for the drive), he comes by it honestly.

“I don’t ever plan these things or schedule them,” he said. “When I see or hear about someone in need, something clicks in my head telling me I should help.”

In this way, Scott embodies Cox’s value of giving back to those in need. “We are fortunate to work for such a great company, and if we pay it forward just like Cox does, the world around us will be a better place,” he said.

About the Governor James M. Cox Award 

The Gov. James M. Cox Award, named for our founder, recognizes those whose stellar job performance exemplifies What We Stand For. Selection of the winners does not depend on tenure or role within the company, but rather on what they’ve done — or are currently doing — through their work at Cox to build a better future. It is one of the highest honors for Cox employees.