Meet the Founders
Thayer Thomas
A Wake Forest native and Heritage High School alum, Thayer’s journey in athletics began long before he walked on to play football at North Carolina State University. At NC State, he excelled as a two-sport athlete, competing in both football and baseball while earning his undergraduate degree in Business Supply Chain and later, a master’s in Sports Management. His dedication and perseverance on the field led him to the next level, signing with the Minnesota Vikings to pursue his professional football career in the NFL.
Jackson DeSilva
A Wake Forest native and Rolesville High School alum, Jackson’s journey is a testament to perseverance and ambition. Walking on to play football at NC State, he balanced the demands of athletics while earning his undergraduate degree in Business Finance. As a first-generation college graduate, he remains committed to academic and professional growth, currently working toward completing his MBA at NC State. With a passion for business and innovation, Jackson has aspired to carve his own path as an entrepreneur, since his first day on campus. He has taken this ambition and is using his education and experience to build something meaningful in YardU.