Access In Action:
From Professional Athlete to Clean Energy Leader
A Workforce Pathway Story:
Isaiah Thomas
After a professional football career with the Ancona Dolphins- an Italian football team- and earning a master’s degree in Community Development from the University of California, Davis, Isaiah Thomas set his sights on a career in commercial real estate development.
Despite his academic credentials and leadership experience, Isaiah faced a familiar challenge: limited real estate and industry-specific work experience.
So, he began his professional journey in real estate sales, but his long-term goal remained development focused.
Aware of Starlett Quarles’ reputation for cultivating strong professional networks and supporting minority professionals entering South Los Angeles’ real estate development landscape, Isaiah reached out for guidance.
Like many professionals transitioning careers, Starlett encouraged Isaiah to explore sustainable development as an entry point into the industry.
Through MREP CA’s workforce development network, he was connected to part-time work and on-the-job training opportunities with a local minority-owned commercial solar installation firm. This experience allowed Isaiah to gain hands-on exposure to clean energy projects while building practical, transferable skills.
MREP CA Impact:
Through this pathway, Isaiah gained tangible experience in both residential and commercial solar installation- enabling him to add meaningful green economy experience to his resume. These early opportunities proved critical in helping him secure full-time employment and advance his career.
Isaiah’s journey highlights the diverse pathways professionals can take to leverage transferable skills, education, and lived experience into the corporate side of the clean energy sector. With support from MREP CA, he not only gained emerging technical skills, but also expanded his professional network—ultimately positioning him for long-term success in sustainable real estate development.
Today, Isaiah serves as a Project Safety Coordinator with McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., where he supports and advances the strong safety culture within the firm’s Renewable Energy Division. In this role, he participates in McCarthy’s national travel program, visiting renewable energy project sites across the United States to help ensure a consistent, company-wide approach to safety.
By January 2026, Isaiah will transition into his next assignment overseeing two renewable energy project sites west of Texas. Having contributed within his first year to the largest renewable energy project in McCarthy’s history, he remains motivated, optimistic, and deeply committed to building a career that supports the nation’s sustainable commercial development future.