Donor Stories

John T. Thompson is a longtime leader in the Indianapolis community, and his contributions have made a lasting impact on Eskenazi Health and the millions of people served.

John Thompson is the chairman and CEO of four Indianapolis-based companies: Thompson Distribution Company, Inc., First Electrical Supply Company, Inc., CMID Engineering, Inc., and Beyond Countertops. His wife, Norma Thompson, is vice president of Thompson Distribution Co.

John grew up in Baltimore before serving as a consultant for McKinsey and Company in its New York and London offices. After moving to Indianapolis, John soon became involved in the community. He has served on numerous boards including the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Black Expo, Riley Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.

John also serves on the board of the Eskenazi Health Foundation. He joined the Eskenazi Health Foundation Board of Directors in 2008, quickly accepting the role of co-chair for the foundation’s capital campaign to build the new Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in downtown Indianapolis. Through John’s leadership, the campaign exceeded its original goal and raised more than $87 million, including one of the largest gifts to a public hospital in history. Because of John’s efforts, residents of Central Indiana are able to receive the highest quality care in a facility that integrates natural light, art and music to facilitate mind and body healing.

The Thompsons also financially supported construction of the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, which opened in 2013, as well as establishment of The St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild Center for Nursing Excellence. This center, committed to recruiting and retaining high-quality nurses for Eskenazi Health, offers continuing education opportunities, skill development services, a nurse recognition program and nursing residency and fellowship programs.

In recognition of John and Norma Thompson’s contributions to Eskenazi Health and the wider Central Indiana community, the John and Norma Thompson Social Hub on the fifth floor of the Fifth Third Bank Building was named in their honor. John explained his motivation to serve: “I’ve been helped. I want to help.” John has been recognized by several awards for his service, including the IBJ’s Michael A. Carroll Award in 2011 and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Dynamic Leader of the Year in 2019.