By Gary Thomas and Michael Thomas, Owners of LEAP Managed I.T.—
MUNCIE, IN—One of the first questions new clients ask us is, “How long have you been in business?” And every time, we pause because the answer tends to surprise people. It’s been 95 years since our grandparents, C.F. and Wilma, founded what has grown into LEAP Managed IT. What began as a humble family venture is now one of the Midwest’s largest Managed IT providers, with three of our technical support facilities here in Central Indiana. Over the past decade alone, we’ve grown nearly 700%.
The story of our company begins during one of the most difficult economic times in American history. Like millions of others during the Great Depression, C.F. was downsized from the typewriter manufacturer Remington Rand and faced the challenge of supporting a growing family. With determination and grit, he and Wilma launched the company from their kitchen table. Eventually, they moved into the Rose Court building in Muncie, sharing space with five direct competitors. That pressure and perseverance set the foundation for everything that came after. Whenever we face challenges today, we reflect on those early days. If they could get through that, we have no excuses.
Over the decades, our name and services have evolved to match the changing landscape of technology and client needs. We originally operated as the “Adding Machine and Typewriter Company”, chosen to appear first in the phone book. Today, Leap Managed IT helps clients harness the power of modern technology through cybersecurity, automation, technical support, and now, AI consulting. What hasn’t changed is our mission: helping people work smarter, respond faster, and create better environments for their teams.
At our core, LEAP remains a people-first, family-run business. That legacy continues to drive our success. Many of our employees have been with us for decades, and we’re proud of the loyalty and sense of purpose that brings. We emphasize promoting from within and building a workplace where people feel valued and empowered.
When new team members join us, one of the first things they see is a painting that hangs in our main office, a portrait of Charles DeBatty, painted by our mother, Carolyn Thomas. Charles was a service technician who worked with our company for over 50 years, working alongside all three generations of our family. He embodied everything we strive for: dedication, kindness, craftsmanship, and a sense of humor that lit up the office. Carolyn herself retired after five decades as our CFO. Together, they represent the heart and soul of our business. We share Charles’s story often and we smile every time we pass by his painting.
Another driving force behind our company is a mantra passed down from our grandparents: “Go at it.” Whether it was tackling a challenge, seizing an opportunity, or supporting a client in need, their philosophy was clear: show up, be present, and act with intention. In today’s world, that approach lives on in our commitment to being “the most ridiculously helpful partner” to both our clients and our team.
Recently, we attended a graduation ceremony where the commencement speaker urged the audience to “show up” for others. We couldn’t help but think how that related to our grandparents’ golden rule. Nearly a century later, their advice still resonates and we hope it continues to inspire the next generation of leaders.
Thank you for letting us share a part of our family’s journey. If you’d like to learn more about our Managed IT Services or our Indianapolis Copier Dealer organizations, please visit us at leapmanagedit.com or leapcopierprinter.com.
Here’s to 95 years and the future ahead.
