Thompson has been secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation since January 2019. Previously, he served as executive director of the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin. Prior to that, he was legislative director for the Wisconsin Counties Association.
In April 2022, AASHTO named Thompson chair of its Council on Water Transportation.
As AASHTO's VP, Thompson succeeds Paul Ajegba, former director of the Michigan DOT. Ajegba retired in December 2022 after serving the transportation industry for 31 years, AASHTO officials said in a press release.