Carl Thoma

Carl Thoma is a managing partner of Thoma Bravo LLC, a private equity firm he founded in 1980 that currently manages a series of funds representing more than $30 billion of equity commitments. Carl has previously served on the boards of the National Venture Capital Association and the Illinois Venture Capital Association, Northwestern Evanston Hospital, and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Carl and his wife, Marilynn, are philanthropists and have been active art collectors since the 1970s. The Thomas founded the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Art Foundation to support arts and education initiatives. As their collections have evolved, they have contributed to and supported the development of exhibitions, symposia, and publications; the formation of fellowships and awards; and the endowment of professorial chairs and curatorial positions. The foundation lends and exhibits artworks from the Thomas’ collection of over 900 objects across three distinct fields: Spanish colonial, Japanese bamboo, and contemporary, with a major focus on electronic art. Carl currently serves on the boards of the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Terra Foundation New Mexico School for the Arts, and SITE Santa Fe, and is a commissioner for the National Portrait Gallery. Carl earned his BS in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University. He went on to complete his MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Carl primarily resides in Chicago. The Thomas also own and operate Van Duzer Vineyards, an 80-acre premium estate Pinot Noir winery in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The Thomas have two adult children.