August 23, 2010

The Board of Directors of the United States Youth Cricket Association has unanimously approved the appointment of Michael Thomas as the organization's first Treasurer. One of Thomas' first priorities will be to oversee the process through which USYCA attains 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Michael Thomas retired in 2005 and as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales had a distinguished career in financial and corporate management, starting with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. in London and followed by nineteen years in various capacities for SmithKline Beecham Corporation (now Glaxo SmithKline). These included the posts of Chief Accountant at SmithKline Laboratories Ltd (UK) and General Manager & European Treasurer for SmithKline's European HQ in London, before relocating to Philadelphia in 1986 as Senior Director, Corporate Development at SmithKline Corporation. In 1991, Michael accepted the post of Chief Financial Officer & V.P. Business Development at Telor Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and took them public, before embarking on a career as Chief Financial Officer in biotechnology organizations embracing both start-up and public companies.

On the cricketing front, Michael played for the Old Albanian Cricket Club in England for 26 years, finishing as Club Captain and is now in his 25th year at the British Officer's Cricket Club in Philadelphia. A former Club Captain and President of the BOCC, and a co-Founder of the Philadelphia International Cricket Festival, Mike still plays league cricket in the Garden State League (NJ) and the Philadelphia Cricket League; he formerly played for four years in the Boston Cricket League. Mike sits on the Board of Directors of the C.C. Morris Cricket Library and Museum at Haverford College in Pennsylvania.

"I have watched with great interest the remarkable progress and collective energy evident within the USYCA in it's formative year," said Thomas. "After a lifetime in cricket and cricket organization, I am delighted with the opportunity to help contribute towards a potentially significant milestone in the development and co-ordination of youth cricket in the U.S."

USYCA President Jamie Harrison said, "We're honored and excited to have someone of Michael Thomas' experience and talent join USYCA in such a critical position as treasurer. I think his willingness to serve speaks volumes not only of his deep commitment to cricket, but also to the importance he attaches to the role of USYCA in the future of American cricket."

USYCA is a network of volunteer organizations that promotes good health and an active lifestyle for children through cricket and has recently announced a partnership with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The groundbreaking USYCA Schools Program is being offered free of charge to any American school system that expresses an interest. The USYCA is dedicated to introducing cricket to American children by supporting local youth cricket organizations and by sharing funding, printed and digital resources, and "best practices."

For more information on the USYCA, visit http://usyouthcricket.org.

Contact:
Jamie Harrison, President
United States Youth Cricket Association
usyouthcricket@gmail.com
443-835-0619