meeting

Get to Know Business Owner and Entertainer Thomas Brenkus

I’ve been in the entertainment industry since I was four years old when I was put on the cover of Frito-Lay’s Bandwagon magazine to advertise beef jerky. Two years later, in 1987, My brother Jason and I worked on our very own rap song. This was followed by a role in two productions—a family-made movie and a commercial produced in 1989.

Early Life

When I was about 12 years old, I flew an airplane for the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. I was also an honorary Eagle Scout where I joined spirited team competitions. I won first place in a knot-tying competition as a representative of my troop which led us to tie in first place in overall competition in New York.

Education

In my final year of high school, I managed to become valedictorian while handling my responsibilities as class president. I graduated with flying colors in 2001, landing me multiple scholarship offers in good colleges across the U.S. I was accepted to every institution I applied for including Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, and The University of North Texas.

Exploring Careers

While I had great opportunities to continue my college education, I decided to try out various careers instead. I worked in the restaurant and health care industries before finally entering the U.S. military.

Cross-Country Traveler

I was stationed in bases located in California, New York, Texas, and Illinois. This gave me the wonderful experience of living in several states including the following:

  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Pennsylvania
  • Texas
Man playing piano
Meeting Peoples

Meeting Famous Folks

Throughout my lifetime, I’m happy to say I’ve met a handful of well-known individuals who’ve inspired me to be better at what I do. These include celebrated people in sports and film such as the following:

  • Andy Reid
  • Bruce Smith
  • Bucky Brooks
  • Dale Earnhardt Sr.
  • David Akers
  • Doug Flutie
  • Duce Staley
  • Jeff Burton
  • Jeffrey Lurie
  • Jim Kelly
  • Joe Gibbs
  • Jon Kitna
  • Jon Ritchie
  • Troy Vincent

Creating Literature and Music

I got to sing my first solo performance at First Baptist Church in Hollisterville, Pennsylvania, where I was accompanied by talented instrumentalists. I also wrote an original cadence which I would hum while running four miles every other day in the military.

It was also during my enlistment in the military that I had the chance to write my own children’s book entitled Super Candy. In time, I hope to have as many quotes and literary works as our great humorist and father of American literature, Mark Twain.

Find Out More

For further details on my background, reach out to me, writer and content producer, Thomas Brenkus.

Music making