Kaleb Thornhill

Kaleb Thornhill is a trailblazer in the athlete development space, with a 15-year career spanning both the NFL and NBA. Known for his relentless drive to serve, Kaleb has empowered thousands of professional, collegiate, and high school athletes to unlock their full potential—guiding them not just as performers, but as people.

A former linebacker at Michigan State, Kaleb followed in the footsteps of his father, the late great “Mad Dog” Thornhill, whose NFL career was cut short by injury. That legacy shaped Kaleb’s deep understanding of the challenges athletes face—on and off the field. After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MSU, he went on to lead player development for the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins, becoming one of the NFL’s most respected voices in the space. His work led to the creation of the Dolphins Business Combine, the first program of its kind to offer an executive education experience for active NFL players.

PAC is bigger than just community. It’s about shifting the trajectory of athletes’ lives. We’re helping people build purpose beyond the game, and when that happens, it doesn’t just impact them, it changes everything for their families, their legacy, and their future.

Kaleb Thornhill

Co-Founder & President

Kaleb later brought that vision to life on a national scale, co-founding Pro Athlete Community (PAC) with Chip Paucek. PAC is the culmination of more than a decade of listening, testing, and relationship-building. Kaleb’s concept of a “business combine” has since become a blueprint for how athletes transition from the game to their next chapter, offering access to world-class education, elite mentorship, and a powerful community. In addition to holding an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and executive certification from the Wharton School, Kaleb serves as a front-office executive with the San Antonio Spurs. He is also the founder of APEX Academy, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring youth in his hometown of Lansing, Michigan.

Kaleb is a husband, a father of four, and a tireless example of servant leadership in action. His mission is simple: develop people, elevate lives, and lead with purpose.