Forty Under 40: Derrick Thomas

Derrick Thomas has gone from hanging semi-frozen turkeys on a conveyer at Fayetteville’s Swanson Foods plant to managing regional logistics for the world’s largest company.nThomas grew up in Paducah, Ky., and attended the University of Arkansas, where he played fullback for the Razorbacks football team from 1983 to 1987, serving as captain his senior year. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in quantitative analysis from the UA in 1988.nAfter graduation, Thomas spent about six months at the Swanson plant before getting into the management training program at J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. in Lowell. Thomas worked for J.B. Hunt for a decade, serving as regional operations manager when he left in 2000 for a job with Wal-Mart Stores Inc.nAt Wal-Mart, Thomas served as regional personnel manager and operations manager before landing his current job. Thomas said he would like to work in the company’s International Division at some point.nThomas said his family is his motivation for working hard.nHis advise for young people is: “Keep it simple … If you stay true to yourself and work hard, opportunities will present themselves.” nn