Meet Ryan Thomas, area sales manager for Northpoint Mortgage and Nonahood resident since 2016. He has a passion for staying active, writing, and being involved in the local community through volunteering.
NH: How did you end up in the Lake Nona area and where are you from originally?
RT: We are from New Hampshire. I came to Florida for the first time on my honeymoon in 2000 when my wife introduced me to Disney. Immediately, I fell in love with everything Florida from the weather to the palm trees. We are a Disney family and have been going to Disney every year since. We decided we wanted to live where we vacation, so we looked for areas close to Disney and the airport, and we stumbled on Lake Nona. We arranged a long weekend to Disney on Memorial Day weekend in 2016 and decided to look at homes for a future move and fell in love. My wife said if we can get this house, I would move to Florida now, and that was it. I made a full price offer. We went home and told all our family and friends, put our home on the market and packed up and headed to Florida.
NH: What do you do for work?
RT: I am an area sales manager for Northpoint Mortgage; I manage the Lake Nona office, and I originate mortgages. I have been originating loans since 2001 and have been with Northpoint Mortgage going on my fifth year. When I told them I was moving to Florida, they told me they would open an office for me here in Lake Nona. I’m licensed in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Florida to originate loans.
NH: What has been one of the biggest successes in your life?
RT: It has to be my marriage to Jessica. I come from a broken home as my mom has been married many times, and I have eight half-brothers and sisters. Building a family and staying together has always been my goal. Ever since I was younger, I wanted to find that special someone, build a life with them and one day have children. My wife and I have been married 17 years and we have a 13-year-old daughter, Rachael. I am so proud to be a husband and father. I tell people it’s the thing I’m most proud of. It’s not always easy, but that is what makes it so great. There are other successes I have experienced so far along my journey but none as rewarding.
NH: One of the biggest struggles in your life?
RT: Balancing family, life and work. My job requires me to be available pretty much all the time, and it is easy to get lost in my job. I am passionate about what I do, and I work a lot. As I watch my daughter grow before my eyes, I know these days will not last forever. Surrounding myself with good people and a good support system is critical in being able to balance family, life and work, but it is always a struggle.
NH: What are you looking forward to having here in Lake Nona?
RT: We love going to the movies – I find myself getting lost in them. It is the one time I can decompress, sit still and not worry about anything. Having a movie theater within walking distance to my home [will be] awesome. We go to the movies a few times a month, and it will be so nice when it is here in Lake Nona.
NH: What is something you would tell to a person or family considering moving to Lake Nona?
RT: It will be the best decision you ever make.
NH: What is your favorite part of Lake Nona?
RT: By far the people. Moving to Florida 16 months ago and not knowing a soul was scary. It’s so easy to meet people in Lake Nona and so many ways to get involved in community activities both in my neighborhood and throughout the Lake Nona community. I find that we are not the new people, but everyone is new, and we all are looking for the same thing. It’s so great to meet other people and hear about where they are from and why they moved here. It’s very easy to make connections and make friends that I know we will have for life. It really is a special place.
NH: Tell me about one of your most memorable experiences?
RT: Last year, my wife and I went to the Super Bowl. We both love the New England Patriots, and we saw one of the most amazing comebacks of all time. The entire experience is one I will never forget.
NH: Who is an inspiration for you?
RT: My daughter inspires me to want to be better every day. It’s so important to me to be a good role model for her and at the same time to make her proud. She inspires me to be a better person.
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