Description:
Stephen Jon Thompson was just nine years old when his mother said goodbye to him and his four younger siblings in a motel room in Reno, Nevada in January 1980. In Hotel Goodbyes, Stephen tells his incredible, gripping life story and how his mother may have abandoned him, but she also gave him a gift, the gift of a better life.
Brief description:
Abandoned by his mother at just nine years old, STEPHEN JON THOMPSON went on to graduate from the University of San Diego (USD). Since then, he has been a successful professional in the software and technology industry with companies like Google, Apple, LinkedIn, Amazon, Nike, and now Ormsby Private Capital. Active in in philanthropic endeavors, Stephen is a member of the board of directors for "Save the Bay," a non-profit organization dedicated to cleaning up the San Francisco Bay. Stephen was also a board member of "Students Rising Above" which supports the education of first-generation college students who have overcome unbelievable obstacles like his own. Stephen lives in San Jose, California, with his wife, Penelope, and two sons, Carson and Quincy.
Review Quotes: "From the moment I started reading, Thompson had me hooked. I couldn't put it down. Hotel Goodbyes is Pulitzer-worthy." Readers' Favorite
"An extraordinary story of resilience. In his moving memoir, Stephen Thompson opens up about how he broke cycles of abuse, poverty, and neglect to build a better life. It's filled with lessons for anyone who's ever questioned their resolve." Adam Grant#1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again "This is one of the most powerful, vulnerable, and triumphant stories of perseverance and optimism I have read. It hits hard and hits quickly. Pain and determination. Hope and reality. The storytelling transports me to a familiar era long ago. It zooms in closely to personal circumstances and then zooms out for context to cultural, political, and economic events. It gives you a sense of the zeitgeist. I hope this connects with readers as quickly and deeply as it did with me." Bernard Bedon, Ph.D.
Vice President, Lead HRBP for Nike "Stephen tells his powerful and deeply personal story of overcoming hardship and adversity through sheer strength of will, determination, and courage. Showing incredible vulnerability, he opens up his life to fully expose the pain and intense trauma he experienced throughout his childhood. His journey reveals how from impossible circumstances the human spirit can persevere to achieve success and ultimately triumph. So many of us worked with Stephen for years and only saw the focused, talented professional building marquee companies not realizing where he started and what he faced growing up. Stephen's story is one of true inspiration." Arnnon Geshuri
Former Senior Director Global Recruiting at Google, Inc.