E'Lois Thomas, Ph.D.
President
E’Lois Thomas, Ph.D. is the president of SEEL, LLC (Solutions for Energy Efficient Logistics), a nationally certified minority business enterprise (MBE) that partners with utilities across the country to implement and create access to services including energy audits, weatherization upgrades, electrification projects (including EV management), rebate processing, call center services and workforce development. She implements the vision and growth trajectory of the organization and under her leadership, SEEL continues to soar as one the largest African-American owned implementation contractors in the nation.
Dr. Thomas is a highly analytical and driven leader, cultivating business relationships and advancing teams toward top-level corporate objectives.
Her efforts have led to several award-winning achievements, such as SEEL ranking 20th in the Women Presidents’ Organization’s 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned and Led Companies in the country for 2023 and receiving Supplier of the Year from MMSDC in the same year. In 2024, SEEL was listed among Inc’s 5000 fastest growing companies. SEEL is committed to energy equity, ensuring that all individuals and communities have access to affordable and reliable energy services by educating the public about energy reduction, renewable and clean energy practices that reduce energy use and carbon emissions.
Dr. Thomas earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.) in business from Northcentral University, an MBA in Management from Walsh College, and a B.A. in Accounting from the University of Detroit Mercy. Her research includes a qualitative multiple case study on the sustainability of small and medium enterprises with key aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She completed a program to support the executive education of women in leadership at the Yale School of Management. She is also a six-sigma black belt professional and has a professional certification in green energy management from San Diego State University.
In her role as a leader in the sustainability industry, Dr. Thomas is a board member with BPI as well as Advancing Women in Energy (AWE), and is a mentor with The Council on Women in Energy & Environmental Leadership (CWEEL), and is a member of the Association of Women in Energy. She is also a prior board member of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE - MI Chapter). Dr. Thomas recently finished a groundbreaking term as Vice Chair of the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. She also serves as a board member for the Detroit Police Athletic League and the Franklin Wright Settlements.
Dr. Thomas is highly recognized in the efficiency field and beyond. In 2020, while serving as Chief Administrative Officer for SEEL, Dr. Thomas was recognized by Crain’s with the Notable Women in Finance listing. In addition, she has been honored by the Michigan Chronicle as a Woman of Excellence in 2013 and was inducted as a Who’s Who in Black Detroit. In 2022, Dr. Thomas was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as a Notable Leader in Sustainability and by Corp Magazine as a Leader in the Workplace Honoree. Her alma mater, University of Detroit Mercy, honored her with a lifetime achievement award in 2023. Most recently, she was named an Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women and a Notable Black Leader by Crain’s in 2024.
Dr. Thomas is married to Charles Thomas, Jr., a local non-profit executive/consultant and they have two adult sons, Charles III, and Isaiah.