NEW EXECUTIVES - At the Helm

The unenviable task of loading up the trucks fell to the junior employees of the plant, of which Thomas was the newest.

"It was a unique experience," Thomas recalls with a laugh. "My first two weeks of work were spent from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. inside garbage bins."

Thomas has since gone from the bottom of a garbage pile to the top of the Cadmus Communications mountain. The 44-year-old was promoted to CEO of the Richmond, VA-based company on July 1 after previously serving as COO, CFO and general counsel.