Jacob Thomas

Jacob Thomas is an accomplished business leader, certified arboriculture professional, and founder of J. Thomas Tree Service and J. Thomas Crane Company. Since 2006, he has grown and led these operations in professional tree care, risk management, and specialized crane services, building a team of 22 professionals who support four to five active field crews daily.

As an ISA Certified Arborist (PD-2262A) since 2013 and a Certified Tree Care Safety Professional since 2010, Jacob brings a practical, safety-driven perspective to every operation. His experience helps customers assess access challenges, jobsite conditions, tree health considerations, limb-loading risks, and safe positioning before equipment is put to work. That knowledge translates directly to Flagship Equipment customers by helping them select aerial-lift solutions that improve reach, productivity, and jobsite safety for real-world arboriculture and tree-care work.

Jacob serves as President of Flagship Equipment Company, a Lake City, Pennsylvania-based provider of spider lift sales, service, rentals, and training. Flagship supports contractors, arborists, tree-care companies, and maintenance teams with specialized aerial-access equipment designed for challenging terrain and constrained work areas. The company’s tracked spider lifts and scissor lifts offer an efficient solution for projects requiring elevated access while helping crews work with greater precision and confidence.

Jacob is also a Partner at Advanced Laser Restoration, Erie, which provides mobile and in-shop laser-cleaning services, laser-machine sales, and rental equipment with local safety guidance and support. ALR serves homeowners, contractors, industrial teams, municipalities, maintenance crews, automotive restorers, and restoration professionals. Its precision laser technology can remove rust, paint, corrosion, soot, grease, mold, graffiti, and other contaminants from surfaces such as wood, metal, stone, concrete, masonry, machinery, and automotive parts – reducing secondary waste while helping preserve the underlying material.

Jacob’s leadership is grounded in technical excellence, safe execution, reliable equipment, and responsive customer service across all his companies. He believes customers deserve knowledgeable, practical support from people who understand both the equipment and the work it needs to accomplish.