About
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Origins
Thomas Nordstrand was born and raised in West Texas — a landscape that would shape his lifelong curiosity about the earth, water, and weather. Growing up in the high desert instilled in him an appreciation for arid environments, groundwater systems, and the dramatic meteorological events that define the region.
That early connection to the land eventually led him toward formal study in geology and hydrology, fields where his practical, observational instincts found rigorous academic grounding.
Military Service
Thomas served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. His military career developed his capacity for leadership under pressure, systematic problem-solving, and the kind of disciplined thinking that translates directly into scientific and business environments.
The values instilled through service — integrity, perseverance, and a commitment to mission — remain central to how he approaches research, business, and academic work.
Education
Thomas pursued an unusually broad academic path, earning degrees across multiple disciplines at institutions in Texas and New Mexico.
University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. His undergraduate work grounded him in quantitative analysis, financial modeling, and the economics of resource-intensive industries.
University of New Mexico (UNM)
Master of Business Administration (MBA). Advanced study in organizational management, strategy, and operations — skills he applied directly in subsequent entrepreneurial ventures.
University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
Graduate studies in Engineering and Geology/Hydrology. This phase of his education brought together his interest in earth systems, water resources, and the technical rigor of engineering disciplines.
Career
Thomas's professional life has spanned retail management, high-technology manufacturing, and independent entrepreneurship — a range that reflects both his adaptability and his drive to apply knowledge across domains.
Early Career — Retail & Management
Thomas began his civilian career in retail and operations management, developing foundational skills in team leadership, logistics, and customer-facing business environments.
Intel Corporation
He joined Intel, where he worked in a technical and operational capacity within one of the world's most demanding manufacturing environments. The experience deepened his understanding of process engineering, quality systems, and large-scale industrial operations.
Entrepreneurship — Roofing, Construction & Oil & Gas
Thomas founded and operated businesses in roofing, construction, and the oil and gas sector. These ventures required him to integrate financial acumen, field operations, and regulatory knowledge — drawing on the full breadth of his education and experience.
Research Focus
In recent years, Thomas has returned to academic research with a focus on geology, hydrology, and atmospheric science — particularly hail formation and collection in Texas. His fieldwork combines direct observation with laboratory analysis, contributing to a growing body of knowledge on regional weather patterns and groundwater systems.
His research interests include hydrogeochemistry, aquifer characterization, and the relationship between surface water and subsurface geology in semi-arid environments.