Unexpected: The Backstory of Finding Elizabeth Smart and Growing Up in the Culture of an American Religion

Chris Thomas is a writer, speaker, and communication professional. He is best known for his work as the Smart family publicist during the nine-and-a-half months Elizabeth was missing. In this capacity, he fielded more than ten thousand calls from journalists, served as a family spokesperson by completing hundreds of interviews, helped coordinate the Smart's lobbying efforts for the national Amber Alert, and managed a crush of media when Elizabeth was rescued. John Walsh of America's Most Wanted said that Thomas deserves most of the credit for keeping the public and family focused on finding Elizabeth.

Thomas also managed the trial and sentencing of Elizabeth's abductors, helped position her as a leading child advocate, and managed Elizabeth's engagement, her surprise wedding, the birth of her children, and the divorce of her parents.

In addition to Elizabeth, Thomas has managed more than three hundred crises for companies, nonprofits, government organizations, and families. He earned a bachelor's degree in communication from Westminster College.