Nationwide — Raquel Riley Thomas, a distinguished U.S. Military Captain Veteran, Entrepreneur, Pageant Queen, and Humanitarian, has advanced right into a media and leisure mogul, reshaping industries and galvanizing optimistic change. With over 30 years of mixed navy and personal sector expertise, she has seamlessly transitioned from the battlefield to the boardroom, leaving an indelible mark on the Magnificence, Trend, Celeb, Way of life, and Music industries.
Raquel is the founding father of An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC (AOAGWLLC), a Veteran-owned media and leisure firm headquartered in Washington, DC, with satellites in GA, NY, LA. Since its inception in 2011, AOAGWLLC has earned acclaim, successful over 75 awards. Raquel, as a Publicist and proprietor of AOAGWLLC, has led her workforce to assist shoppers in attaining over 700 appearances in print media, tv, in-person, and radio/podcast appearances.
Army Service and Entrepreneurial Journey
Raquel’s journey started in 1990 as a embellished navy Veteran, serving 9 years within the U.S. Military as an Enlisted photojournalist and later as an Ordnance Officer. In 2002, she began her first enterprise, Images By Raquel, LLC, capturing actors, celebrities, and Jet journal swimsuit centerfolds. Transitioning into the world of modeling, Raquel signed with Elite Mannequin Administration and later Ford Mannequin NYC, showcasing her versatility within the trade.
The pivotal shift occurred in 2011 when Raquel based AOAGWLLC, making historical past with over 75 awards and producing pageants at famend venues such because the Kennedy Middle. In 2020, she expanded her entrepreneurial footprint with the launch of Raquel Riley Thomas Magnificence Line (RRTBeauty), a performance-based make-up model.
Schooling and Neighborhood Involvement
Raquel’s dedication to excellence is mirrored in her academic achievements, together with a level in Psychology from Hampton College and a certification from Harvard Enterprise Faculty in Mastery of Negotiations. Actively engaged locally, she serves as an Advisory Board member of Operation Renewed Hope, Public Relations Chair on the Government Board of Trend Group Worldwide Atlanta (FGIATL), and is a member of Veterans of Overseas Struggle and Veteran’s In Media.
Raquel’s accolades embody induction into the Library of Congress, Military Commendation Medal (2x), Military Achievement Medal (3x), “Veteran of the 12 months” 2011 by Girls Veteran’s Rock, and recognition as a “Chief of the Future” by Ebony Journal, amongst many others.
Private Life and Advocacy:
A local of Maryland, Raquel, alongside her husband, West Level graduate Ron Thomas, Esq, and their entrepreneurial daughters, Maria Raquel and Sophia J, exemplifies a dedication to household and neighborhood. In remembrance of her late mom, who took her personal life by suicide, Raquel helps the American Federation of Suicide and initiated Queen V Day, pampering deserving Veterans.
She attributes her success to the talents honed throughout her navy service, emphasizing the significance of clear communication, management, and flexibility. These attributes, cultivated on the battlefield, seamlessly transferred to the world of enterprise, guiding AOAGWLLC in the direction of success.
Recognizing the challenges Veterans face throughout transition, Raquel provides priceless recommendation for a seamless shift from the navy to entrepreneurship. Leverage navy expertise, search mentorship, perceive cultural variations, translate navy expertise, spend money on steady studying, and proudly embrace navy background.
Raquel stands as a pioneer in creating optimistic change, proving that even small steps can result in significant impression. Her journey, marked by a profound shift in roles and duties, serves as an inspiration for fellow Veterans looking for a brand new mission past the uniform.
Observe on Social Media:Observe Raquel on Instagram @raquelrileythomas, Raquel Riley Thomas Magnificence on Instagram @rrtbeauty, and @AOAGWLLC on Instagram and Fb.
For press inquiries and media interview requests, contact L. Nelson at pr@aoagwllc.com
