On June 24th, Capital Metro board members and staff gathered to welcome Council Member Danny Thomas on his selection to the Capital Metro board. Thomas took the oath of office, administered by Vice-Chairperson Margaret Gomez, at the Capital Metro board meeting. “I look forward to working with Council Member Thomas,” stated Commissioner Gomez.
 
In addition to his new role on Capital Metro’s board, Councilman Thomas serves on several other subcommittees including: the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE), the Joint City/County Subcommittee, the Public Safety Task Force, and the Police Retirement Board.
 
Thomas' calling to public service came when he decided to ride along with a former high school classmate who had become a police officer. During that ride, Thomas came to realize two things: first, that a police officer's main responsibility is to serve the community; and second, sometimes it best serves an individual if he/she is not put behind bars but referred to outreach services.
 
In 1979, Thomas graduated from the Police Academy and joined the Austin Police Department. He considers helping people cope with the trauma of losing family members his most rewarding experience. For seven years, Thomas worked in the Recruitment Division promoting diversity, leading to the highest number of minority hirings in the department's history.
 
Throughout his 21-year career with APD, Thomas was actively involved with the Austin Police Association. He was elected district representative for the Texas Peace Officers Association and eventually became the state association's vice president, and the local chapter's President. Through his participation in the Police Association, Thomas worked with youth groups mentoring students and providing chaperoned security for youth activities.
 
In 1997, Thomas, a Baptist preacher, became Administrative Pastor at Eph'phatha Full Gospel Baptist Church Ministries. Realizing he wanted to serve the public in a larger capacity, Thomas announced his candidacy for the Austin City Council in December 1999 . He was victorious in his first run for elected office and was sworn in as Austin City Council Member on June 15, 2000.

Thomas has been married to his high school sweetheart Janis for 28 years. They have two sons and one grandchild.