John Thomas, who captains business operations for the NBA's Sacramento Kings and WNBA's Monarchs, will take center court at UC Davis Thursday, Jan. 18, to discuss building community assets in professional sports and entertainment. "For a sports and entertainment enterprise, community service is the key to a healthy association with the place it calls home," says Thomas, who is president of Maloof Sports & Entertainment. "Our ability to provide valuable expertise, energy and resources to the improvement of our communities is a defining aspect of our culture." In his position, Thomas also heads business operations for the Knights of the World Indoor Soccer League and ARCO Arena. At Maloof, he is responsible for the development and implementation of an annual operating plan and supervision of all aspects of the organization, including team and arena ticket sales and marketing, strategic alliances and brand development, arena operations, food and beverage sales, merchandise sales and the company's community service efforts. Thomas recently spearheaded Moloof's drive to save the Gold Rush Classic golf tournament for the city of Sacramento. One of the most successful events on the Senior PGA Tour, the Gold Rush Classic has raised more than $4 million in cash and services for Sacramento charities. A sports executive for 12 years, Thomas has worked with the NBA's Rockets, the WNBA's Comets and the Thunderbears of the Arena Football League, all in Houston; the Seattle Mariners baseball team; and the NHL's Minnesota North Stars. Thomas' presentation is part of the Dean's Distinguished Speaker Series in the Graduate School of Management. Tip-off will be at 6 p.m. in MUII of the Memorial Union.