History

Founded in 1975 by J. Scott Thornton, TRI began as a small research and development company.

J. Scott Thornton graduated in 1968 from the University of Texas at Austin with a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering and proceeded to develop a series of unique engineering solutions and enhancements for industries and critical entities such as the US Navy.

In 1975 J. Scott Thornton co-founded Texas Research Institute (TRI), later renamed Texas Research International. He engendered the employee-owned company with a culture of scientific excellence, encouragement, and trust.

The company flourished over the years, and today its service centers expand into Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia while providing technical, scientific, testing, materials engineering, and consulting expertise to a diverse range of industries and government agencies.

One of his many accomplishments was receiving an International Geosynthetic Society (IGS) Service Award in 2002 at the 7th International Conference on Geosynthetics in Nice, France.

J. Scott Thornton served as TRI’s one and only President until his death in 2014.  Scott Strehli is the current chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of TRI. Mr. Strehli oversees the strategic direction of TRI and it’s 13 subsidiaries. Additionally, Mr. Strehli directly manages TRI’s real estate portfolio and leads TRI’s commercialization efforts associated with internally developed products. Mr. Strehli is also the co-trustee of the TRI Thornton Foundation.

Community Outreach

Communities for Recovery

Communities for Recovery offers peer recovery coaching services, a career closet, computer lab, workshops and training, resource boards on housing, employment, meetings and support groups, and other community resources from their central Austin community center.

Inspired by his personal experience with alcohol addiction and recovery, J. Scott Thornton founded Volunteers at the Creek in January 2004. A non-profit organization providing volunteer peer supported recovery programs and services for people suffering from alcoholism, substance use, and those who have both substance use and a co-occurring mental health condition (dual diagnosis). Its motto “Volunteers Give To Keep” truly encompasses Scott’s vision.

In 2008, the organization was renamed Communities for Recovery (CforR) https://cforr.org and a community center was opened on the campus of ASH (Austin State Hospital). Through his leadership and energy, the organization expanded its programming and services throughout the Austin area. Scott was deeply involved in developing curriculum, volunteering countless hours working directly with those in recovery, and spearheading the accreditation by the Joint Commission. CforR received Joint Commission (TJC) Accreditation for Peer Recovery Support Programs earlier this year becoming the first Peer Recovery Community Organization in the US to receive this accreditation. His achievements were heralded on state and national levels. His contributions to the recovery community have impacted the lives of many. Click HERE to be taken to Communities for Recovery website.