Mike Thomas joined Castle Creek^® in July 2008 as a Principal. Mr. Thomas has 38 years of experience in the banking industry. Prior to joining Castle Creek^®, Mr. Thomas was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago where he was responsible for strategic leadership and the restructuring of the $80+ billion asset wholesale bank. Prior to that, he spent three years as an independent financial advisor. Mr. Thomas began his banking career at The First National Bank of Chicago, where he spent 21 years in a variety of roles including Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, co-head of merchant banking and co-head of corporate and institutional banking. He then spent six years at Lazard Freres & Co, where he advised top management and boards of directors on numerous major strategic transactions.

Mr. Thomas is director and the Chairman of the Audit Committee of Evanston Northwestern Healthcare.

Mr. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.