Tucson, Arizona Project

As a Tucson native I loved getting outside, experiencing nature, and especially fishing when I was younger. Fly fishing in the desert is not inaccessible, as it may seem, and I cannot wait to share my knowledge and passion with the local foster community!

A former Michigander, Jim did not really fish until an Air Force assignment placed in Hawthorne, Nevada. It was there the lure of fishing took place and has been there since. He had many fishing poles and several were fly rods. Jim took his interest in fishing to a new level and now builds custom fly rods for his international company. In addition, he continues to educate the next generation to enjoy the world of sport fishing that includes building spin cast fishing rods. Jim recently helped youth in the Boys & Girls Club in Tucson to build 21 rods. His “best buddy” is his son, Mark. He is looking forward as a mentor in the Tucson Mayfly Project.

A Connecticut native, Marcia has always enjoyed the outdoors. Athletic activities and enjoying working with others has led her into several different careers ( insurance sales, real estate appraisal, town assessor, special education) as well as different locations over the years winding up in Arizona in 2004. Marcia is a member of the Arizona Audubon and Trout Unlimited. Fly fishing is her most recent sport having taken it up at the age of 70. A guided trip in the San Juan River in New Mexico sealed her interest and she continues to improve her fishing proficiency. She looks forward to continue her work with children of all ages and working as a mentor in the Mayfly Project.

I am a senior in high school at Salpointe Catholic in Tucson Arizona. I run cross country and track and field. I love everything to do with the outdoors and fishing.

I love being outdoors! I did not grow up fishing. I began learning to fly fish in Colorado where we’ve spent time in the fall for the past 10 years. Standing knee deep in a river surrounded by aspens turning a deep gold gives me incredible joy! I think my fishing skills have slowly improved over the years and my appreciation and love of nature in all forms and environments has deepened. With my background in social work, I feel that being a mentor in the Mayfly Project is a perfect fit!

Raised in Marana, Arizona I didn’t really grow up fishing. As a child, each summer I would go to the White Mountains or New Mexico with my neighbors. Those days were bait fishing for Trout, but I found it boring, so I would use a bobber with a fly attached. As I grew older, I fell in love with all aspects of flyfishing. One of the first people to be seen in the Pinetop area with a floattube. I believe the passion is not really knowing what is going on below the surface and being able to fool a fish into biting. My passion has led me to some amazing places. Whether that is Baja catching Roosters or Dorado on the fly or Bones in Hawaii, it is always so amazing. I am so excited to share my passion with the kids in the May Fly Project.

Mark Thomas was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1955. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Northwestern University in 1977 and a Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1980. Following law school, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert Eisen, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, from 1980 to 1982.

Mark practiced law for nearly four decades, specializing in complex corporate reorganizations, restructurings, and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. From 1982 until his retirement in 2019, he served as an associate and later an equity partner at several leading law firms, including Katten Muchin (associate and equity partner, 1987–2002), Jenner & Block (equity partner, 2002–2007), and Proskauer (equity partner, 2009–2019). Throughout his career, Mark represented key constituencies in some of the most significant Chapter 11 cases in U.S. history, including Energy Future Holdings Corp. (one of the largest bankruptcy filings ever), Toys “R” Us, Nine West Holdings, Schwinn Bicycle Company, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. He also regularly represented private equity sponsors in acquiring businesses through bankruptcy court sales and auction processes.

Mark worked closely with senior corporate leaders and public figures, including former United States Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans, former Director of the White House Scheduling Office Warren G. Rustand, and John J. Ray III, the former CEO appointed to oversee the Enron and FTX Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. He appeared before United States Bankruptcy Courts nationwide, including courts in California, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In recognition of his professional excellence and contributions to the field, Mark was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy. He was also a frequent speaker and panelist on bankruptcy and restructuring topics for organizations such as the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Bloomberg, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association.

Mark married Lynn Thomas in June 1982. They have two sons, Jake Thomas (born 1987) and Sam Thomas (born 1990). In retirement, Mark enjoys road and mountain cycling and is an avid fly fisherman.