Corey Thomas – A Black Male Cybersecurity Executive

Corey Thomas has experienced online harassment and threats as one of many elected officials; she feels this makes doing her job even harder as a female representative.

Thomas is currently CEO of Rapid7, a Boston-based cybersecurity technology firm. Additionally, he serves on both the Cyber Threat Alliance Board of Directors and Massachusetts Cybersecurity Strategy Council as well as having previously been Vice President of Marketing for Parallels Inc, Group Project Manager for Microsoft and Consultant at Deloitte Consulting.

Early Life and Education

Corey Thomas hails from Slidell, Louisiana. In 2009 he graduated from Brother Martin High School with a baseball team that captured the 2008 district title. At UConn Waterbury he studied Agriculture Science and Education before going on to Middletown High School to complete student teaching as an aid for educational programming and field trips at local schools.

He eventually made his way to Nashville where he has pursued his dreams ever since. Now an accomplished touring musician who performs over 100 shows annually and has opened for artists like Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, Josh Abbott and Flatland Cavalry among many others.

Rapid7 CEO John Hoagland is also an active angel investor, advisor and panelist for organizations going through technological transformation and frequently requested as a speaker or panelist. John is on three boards of directors including those for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BBSM), LPL Financial (LPLF) and Vanderbilt University’s Board of Trust.

Professional Career

Thomas is the CEO of Rapid 7 from Boston-based Rapid 7, an innovative cybersecurity company making waves in an industry with few black executives. Thomas credits mentors for helping him make it to where he is today; during early parts of his career he sought experience before taking on management responsibilities.

His expertise lies in tax compliance at all levels and structuring real estate and private equity portfolios for both federal, state, and international tax authorities. Furthermore, he has advised many clients on acquisitions, dispositions, divestitures, reorganizations processes.

He is a regular guest for City Awake, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s premier young professional platform designed to inspire Boston’s next generation of business leaders. Here he speaks about milestones he has reached throughout his career as well as offers advice for young professionals.

Achievement and Honors

Corey is driven by his fascination for technology and its endless potential, which led him into computer science. Today he serves as CEO and chairman of cybersecurity tech firm Rapid7 out of Boston; additionally he holds memberships on the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership board and Cyber Threat Alliance board of directors; in addition to being appointed a class C director by Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

He previously held positions as Vice President of Marketing at Parallels Inc, a virtualization technology provider; Group Project Manager of Microsoft Server and Tools division where he led product planning for Microsoft’s data platform; B.E in Electrical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and MBA from Harvard Business School respectively. When not working he enjoys reading five to six books at once and playing golf.

Personal Life

Corey Thomas is an active angel investor in technology companies and advisor to organizations undergoing digital transformation. Additionally, he serves on the boards of LPL Financial and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts; in addition to Vanderbilt University where he serves as trustee.

In 2021, he assumed the leadership of cybersecurity firm Rapid7 as CEO and chairman. Prior to this role, he served as vice president at Parallels, group product manager at Microsoft, and as consultant for Deloitte Consulting.

Thomas was featured as one of Megan Wants to Marry A Millionaire” reality show on VH1. However, after four episodes the pair parted ways. Additionally in 2014 he became victim to Jon “War Machine” Koppenhaver who later was charged with kidnapping, torturing and sexually assaulting Mack.

Net Worth

Corey Thomas has made his fortune as an American football player, becoming one of the most successful in National Football League history. He has amassed an estimated net worth between $1 and $8 Million dollars due to his success as an athlete.

Corey currently serves as chair and CEO of Rapid7 since October 2012; in addition to this position he sits on the boards for LPL Financial, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and the U.S. Commerce Department’s Digital Economy Board of Advisors. Prior to Rapid7 Corey served as Vice President of Marketing for Parallels Inc, group project Manager with Microsoft Server and Tools division overseeing product planning of Microsoft data platforms and as consultant at Deloitte Consulting.