<p>Hello, hello!&nbsp;</p>

<p>My name is Thomas Barker, I live in Encinitas, California and I don't remember a time that skateboarding wasn't a part of my life.</p>

<p>I am one of the co-founders of CSEF (collegeskateboarding.com) and have been working in the skateboard industry for over 20&nbsp;years, most recently as the Executive Director&nbsp;of the International Association of Skateboard Companies. After working in roles at Clive Backpacks and Black Box Distribution I went back to school when the recession hit in 2008. Sensing that non-profits would play a larger role in the future of skateboarding and wanting to give back to skateboarding as much as it has given&nbsp;to me, I got my&nbsp;Professional Degrees in Non-Profit Business Management and Fundraising/Development from UCSD Extension.&nbsp;</p>

<p>I have two main advocacy focuses, first is on people who already consider themselves "skateboarders", using the marketing tactics I learned in the skateboard industry to reach skateboarders and influence them to take a more positive direction in their life. My second focus is helping the skateboarding non-profit social movement, mature and professionalize. I am happy to share my knowledge, experience and tools to help your organizations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was amazing to meet everyone at the Good Push event last week.&nbsp;Even though I've been in the skateboarding industry/community for so long, it was not until Pushing Boarders and the Good Push events that I felt like I found the part of the skateboard community I could just be myself in.</p>

<p>If I didn't meet you last week, nice to e-meet you here!&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thank you to everyone at the Good Push for creating this space!&nbsp;</p>

<p>Talk soon,&nbsp;</p>

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<p>tCb&nbsp;</p>

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