Paul M. Thorn

Paul M. Thorn, of Annapolis, Maryland, earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Virginia Tech in 1976. He went on to a successful career with the City of Annapolis government, serving as their Chief Information Officer for 30 years and leading the agency through the computer revolution. His work contributed to Annapolis being recognized as the fifth ranked digital city in the U.S. by the Center for Digital Government.

Prior to this, Thorn designed, configured, programmed, and implemented interactive, video terminal-based business functions, and systems to operate on NCR mini-computers, which were only then becoming affordable to small and mid-size organizations. His clients included the British Embassy, Congressional Budget Office, National Gallery of Art, senior living and healthcare providers, and city, county, federal and international government agencies.

A second-generation Hokie, Thorn has led by example through his service and philanthropy. He was a founding member of the College of Arts and Sciences Roundtable Advisory Board and remains active on the College of Science Roundtable. In addition, he serves on the Roundtable Scholarship Interview Committee and is a reviewer for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Thorn supports the Paul and Martha Thorn Beyond Boundaries Scholarship in Science. He is a member of the university’s Ut Prosim Society, Legacy Society, 1872 Society, and Pylon Society. 

Thorn is a long-time Road Runners Club of America certified running coach and currently serves as the 5K class head coach for the Annapolis Striders local running club, where he was recently named “Strider of the Year.” He is past president of the College Park Chapter of the Association of Information Technology Professionals and the Maryland Municipal Information Technology Association. Thorn also served as the municipal representative on Network Maryland Board for the state of Maryland.