Living Legends
CEO
Thompson Family Holdings | Madison
The longest-serving governor in Wisconsin state history, Tommy Thompson also holds the record for being the only politician to be elected to that office four times. His tenure (1987–2001) was marked by reform of the state’s welfare system, his involvement in the creation of Milwaukee’s school voucher system and passage of legislation to fund construction of American Family Field in Milwaukee. Thompson served as chairman of the Republican Governors Association and of the National Governors Association in the 1990s. He was then appointed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under then President George W. Bush, from 2001-2005.
Most recently, Thompson served as interim president of the University of Wisconsin System from 2020 to 2022, filling in when former president Ray Cross retired.
Thompson is the chairman of the board for Milwaukee-based Physicians Realty Trust, a health care real estate investment trust. He was named to the board in connection with the REIT’s initial public offering in 2013. In 2021, Physicians Realty Trust acquired over $1 billion in outpatient medical office facilities, bringing its gross real estate investments to just under $6 billion while growing its total portfolio to over 16 million rentable square feet.
Thompson also currently serves on the board of United Therapeutics Corp. and as executive chairman of TherapeuticsMD, Inc.
From 2005 until 2009, Thompson served as a senior advisor for Deloitte & Touche USA LLP and was the founding independent chairman of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. From 2005 to early 2012, he served as a senior partner at the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. He served as chairman of the board of Logistics Health from January 2007 to May 2011, and served as president from February 2005 to January 2011. Thompson served on the board of directors of Centene Corp. from 2005 to 2022. He also was formerly a board member for C.R. Bard, Inc., Cytori Therapeutics, Inc., Cancer Genetics, Inc., CareView Communications, Inc., and Tyme Technologies, Inc.
Education: Bachelor’s and J.D., UW-Madison
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
“Cleaning eggs in my father's grocery store at age 5. It was a smelly job, someone had to do it and my father thought I was the right person to do it.”
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career?
“My father’s advice: two ears and one mouth – use in that proportion and you’ll get along well.”
If you could have dinner with any two business leaders, who would you choose and why?
“Elon Musk and Steve Forbes - they are unique individuals that follow their own leadership.”
What are some of your favorite places to visit?
“Any state capitol in the U.S. Internationally: Ireland, England, France, Italy, Germany.”
What is one book you think everyone should read?
“The Bible”
What’s your hobby/passion?
“Farming”
Favorite Wisconsin restaurant and what do you order there?
“Ishnala Supper Club (in Lake Delton), old fashioned and filet steak or walleye.”
What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)?
“I cry very easily and am extremely caring and compassionate.”
What was your first car? How long did you drive it?
“1947 green Chevy. Drove it for four years in high school. Named it Sputnik.”
If you could take a one-year sabbatical, what would you do?
“Bicycle across America, sail to Africa, hike the Ice Age Trail and the Blue Ridge Mountain Trail.”
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome?
“Helping keep struggling companies from entering bankruptcy.”
What advice would you give a young professional?
"You have to be willing to make a decision and take responsibility, and you have got to listen to others while making decisions on your own."
What is one thing you would change about Wisconsin to make it even better?
“The government. The control of state government.”
Is there a nonprofit cause that has special meaning to you?
“Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation”
What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
“Buying my first farm when I had no money.”
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
“Increase civic awareness in Wisconsin and America.”
What has you most excited about the future?
“My children and grandchildren.”
