Thompson Technologies > Leadership Team

Leadership Team

Meet Our Leaders

A business is only as strong as its leaders. Our leadership team has always been laser-focused on building the most talented and versatile teams that can serve our customers and bring our Mission to life. Leaders see past the challenges to deliver robust solutions that creatively and strategically get ahead of our clients’ ever-changing needs.

DAVID THOMPSON
Founder, CEO & President

David Thompson has been in the Staffing industry for over 30 years. From his home office in 1995, the door opened to launch his new company, Thompson Technologies.

David is the Founder, CEO & President of Thompson. He was determined to differentiate the company from the rest of the pack in a crowded market. As a devout man of faith, he dedicated his company to God. The original business plan was a scripture from the Old Testament, Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths”. With a focus on quality, service, and speed, Thompson quickly began to grow.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, David joined the Air Force in 1978 and served honorably for six years as a Computer Programmer. After being discharged, he worked in the Staffing industry over the next 15 years in various positions.

David is married to Lori, his childhood sweetheart from 7th grade. The couple has been married for over forty years and resides in Canton, Georgia. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren. In their free time, David and Lori enjoy spending time with the family and traveling.

Jim Calise
Senior Vice President, CFO

Jim Calise is an accomplished financial executive, responsible for all facets of Thompson support services, including Accounting, Billing, Payables, Marketing, and IT.

Most recently, Jim served as Vice President and CFO for a local hospitality staffing firm, where he supported triple-digit growth and service level improvements on a cost-efficient technology base. Jim holds an MBA from the Goizueta Business School of Emory University and a BA from Middlebury College in Vermont.

He is a certified CPA and is a current member of the GSCPA and AICPA. Jim is a past Board Chair of the Shepherd Center Foundation Advisory Board and a member of the Foundation Board of Trustees during the period 2012-2018. He is also a former member of the Middlebury College Annual Fund Executive Committee and the Middlebury College Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Amber Thompson
Executive Director, Sales & Delivery

Growing up in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, Amber began her career in IT and Professional Services in 2017.

Growing up in the northern suburbs of Atlanta, Amber began her career in IT and Professional Services in 2017. Amber is responsible for the strategic management and oversight of sales and delivery within the organization. She remains hands-on developing and expanding business within small, mid-sized and Fortune 1000 companies along with a track record of success in creating profitable client relationships and building cohesive, high performing teams.
Outside of work, you can find Amber enjoying time with her grown children, nieces and nephews, cooking & baking, learning and traveling the world with her husband as much as possible! Top picks: Lake Como, Croatia and Sonoma
Samantha Hodz
Director of Recruiting

Samantha Hodz After 15 years of progressive recruiting experience, Sam has a keen sense of direction that helps her steer job seekers toward their best career paths. She began working in higher education admissions where she delighted in connecting people to their promise.

She helped students at all stages of personal career development to identify their passions and align their career and life goals toward obtaining a degree most likely to help them achieve success. When she joined Thompson as an Account Executive, she put her expertise into action by linking client employment needs to her recruitment skill sets. Sam found it incredibly rewarding to connect the right people with the right opportunities. During the pandemic she took a brief hiatus to work in the healthcare sector as a Recruiting Manager. Listening to someone’s needs, whether it’s a client or a job seeker, is the critical component to making good connections. In addition to being a good listener, she’s walked her talk and knows how to move things forward. Sam holds a Bachelors degree from Florida State University and a Masters from Spertus College.
Doretta Lockwood
Chief Human Resources Officer

Doretta has been a dedicated Thompson family member for more than 16 years and has over 20 years of staffing experience.

Doretta began her career at Thompson as a receptionist and progressively assumed more responsibility. She is now a member of the Leadership Team and oversees our entire Human Resource function, managing all aspects of onboarding, benefits, and payroll.