In Memoriam: Charles “Chuck” Thomas

With great sadness, The Alta Group shares the news that our friend and colleague Charles “Chuck” Thomas has passed away. Chuck was a Director with Alta from 2011 until 2025, following a distinguished four-decade career at IBM.

Throughout his tenure at Alta, Chuck made an enduring impact on our clients, our advisory practice, and the broader equipment finance community. He served many of the industry’s leading IT captives as well as several bank-owned equipment finance companies, bringing a rare combination of strategic clarity, operational depth, and genuine partnership to every engagement. Chuck was also instrumental in developing Alta’s proprietary operating efficiency framework, a contribution that continues to shape our work and guide our clients toward sustainable performance. 

Chuck’s professionalism, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to Alta’s clients set the standard for excellence. He was a trusted advisor, a thoughtful colleague, and a steady voice of practical wisdom. His influence on our work— and on the people who had the privilege of working alongside him—will be felt for many years to come. 

Prior to joining Alta, Chuck enjoyed an exceptional career at IBM Global Financing, where he held executive leadership roles with worldwide responsibility across direct and reseller channel sales, marketing, operations, pricing, contract practices, information technology, and business transformation. After retiring from IBM, he provided asset-financing consulting and project management services in Western and Central Europe and in China, where he helped two major technology companies build and expand strategic financing programs. Chuck also served as a board member of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association from 2004 to 2007. 

Chuck will be profoundly missed by both Alta and the industry he served with distinction. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know him.