Raquel Riley-Thomas

Raquel Riley Thomas is a producer, director, pageant queen, entrepreneur and activist. A decorated U.S. Army Ordnance Officer, Raquel was honorably discharged from the military in 2002 and within months she was signed to Elite Models (Atlanta) and Ford Models (New York). The 5'9" commercial model soon graced lifestyle ads for companies such as Coca-Cola, Stern and Foster, and has been a product spokes model on channels such as HGTV and BET. Her hair is featured on two major hair product boxes throughout the country. Raquel also competed against more than 15,000 women to win a coveted top 10 finalist spot on the hit model realty-show, "She's Got the Look, Season 2." Raquel added yet another success to her resume: Pageant Queen. She won the title of Mrs. Maryland America 2010-11, then battled 50 state delegates, winning 1st runner at Mrs. America 2010-11. The Mrs. America organization asked her to come back just months later, as a celebrity judge for the Mrs. America 2011-12 pageant. The winner she helped select, April Lufriu, went on to win Mrs. World 2012. In September 2011, Raquel's company, An Officer and Gentlewoman LLC, took over Mrs. DC America, an official preliminary pageant to Mrs. America. As the executive producer/director, she is responsible for overseeing the yearly show that publicly recognizes women throughout the DC metro area who have obtained personal, professional and community achievements. Raquel's accomplishments have been noted in both her military and civilian career. Raquel was titled a "Leader of the Future," by Ebony Magazine and is featured in "Who's Who of America," for 3 consecutive years. For her commitment to fighting for Veteran's employment rights, Raquel is the "Voices of Victory" 2011 Honoree of the Year awardee, selected by the organization Women Veteran's Rock. Raquel is committed to her community through her sorority Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and she is involved with Jack and Jill of America, Inc., an organization committed to nurturing and guiding children to become future leaders. She is also an active member of Military Officers Association of America. Raquel is married to Ron Thomas, a former West Point football star, turned attorney, previously an Ordnance officer in the Army, as well. They are fondly referred to by associates as "the Real-life Mr. and Mrs. Smith," referring to the action movie. They have two children together, along with a robot named R2.