Raquel Riley Thomas Bio

Raquel Riley Thomas is an Entrepreneur, Publicist, Pageant Queen, Military-Veteran and Humanitarian. She is the owner of An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC, a media and entertainment company. She has over 30 years of military and private sector experience in the media field.

Professional Life:

  • 1990: Raquel is a decorated military veteran, having served nine years in the U.S. Army (5-years Enlisted photojournalist; 4-years Ordnance Officer) until 2002.

  • 2002: After hanging up her military boots, she started her first business, Photography By Raquel, LLC. She photographed actors, celebrities, Jet magazine swimsuit centerfolds and more.

  • 2002: Raquel also became a professional model signed to Elite Model Management and later Ford Model NYC as a commercial model for 7 years.

  • 2010: Raquel decided to compete in a pageant to show her daughters a princess could look like them. She won the title of Mrs. Maryland America 2010. She went to the national level and won Mrs. America 2011 (1st RU), the first African American to get to that level in Mrs. America pageant system.

  • 2011: Raquel started An Officer and Gentlewoman LLC, (AOAGWLLC). The company has division in Talent mgmt., Brand mgmt., Public Relations, and Production services. The company has won over 75 awards and has produced pageants in MD, PA, DC and at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

  • 2020: Raquel launched her new company, Raquel Riley Thomas Beauty Line (RRTBeauty). The brand is a performance-based makeup brand for those who need long-wear makeup.

  • Additional duties: Raquel Riley Thomas is a Beauty and Fashion expert. She has been a television commentator on FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS and Reelz. Notable commentating includes Oscar's Fashion, Emmy's Fashion, and most recently Reelz: The Kate Spade Story. She has been featured in dozens of magazines to include USA News, Style Cruze, Fitness, Washingtonian, WashingtonLife, and Military Times, to list a few.

Education:

  • 1990: Graduated from the Defense Information School of Technology

  • 1994: Primary Leadership Development Course, Tague Korea

  • 1998: Distinguished Military Graduate from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Hampton University

  • 1998: B/A degree in Psychology from Hampton University

  • 1998: Officer Leadership Course

  • 2019: Certification in Mastery of Negotiations from Harvard Business School

Community Life:

  • Advisory Board member of Operation Renewed Hope Foundation

  • A member of Veterans of Foreign War

  • A member of Veteran’s in Media

  • A Member of the TV Emmy’s Southern Regional organization

  • A Diamond Life member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc

  • Supporter of the American Federation of Suicide Prevention, because unfortunately, her Raquel’s mother took her own life by suicide in 2013.

  • Former member of Ethics committee for Mrs. America organization

Military and Civilian Awards Highlights:

(For full list contact pr@aoagwllc.com)

  • Raquel Riley Thomas is inducted into the Library of Congress for her military service.

  • U.S. Army Commendation Medal (2x)

  • U.S. Army Achievement Medal (3x).

  • 2000 Selected as “Leader of the Future,” by Ebony Magazine

  • 2011 Mrs. America (1st Runner-up) (Note: First ever African American woman to reach that position in the Mrs. America organization)

  • 2011 “Veteran of the Year" honoree, by Women Veteran’s Rock

  • 2013 Washington Business Journal “People on the Move.”

  • 2022 Consumer Goods Technology (CGT) Visionary

  • 2022 Entrepreneur Business Startup Award for Raquel Riley Thomas Cosmetics from The Rosie Network

  • 2023 “Most Influential Women in Atlanta” 2023 by The Atlantan, Modern Luxury

  • 2023 HBCU Alumni Entrepreneurs in Upscale Magazine Feb/March 2023

  • 2023 “Mother and Mogul” | Upscale Magazine

  • 2023 President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold)

  • Published in over 80 magazines, billboards and commercials.

Personal Life:

  • Raquel Riley Thomas is a native of Maryland. Recently moved to Georgia.

  • She is married to West Point graduate Ron Thomas, Esq (who has never lost to Navy in his football career). They have been married since 2006.

  • They have two daughters together: Maria is a professional model and cosmetic brand owner, and Sophia is a teen chef. They also have a dog, cat and a few robots that Maria Raquel built.

Follow on Social Media:

  • Follow Raquel on Instagram @raquelrileythomas.

  • Follow Raquel Riley Thomas Beauty on Instagram @rrtbeauty.

Contact:

  • For speaking engagements and press interviews, please contact L. Nelson at pr@aoagwllc.com.