Leadership
ThunderCloud Subs Leadership
At ThunderCloud Subs, our leadership team embodies the spirit of community, quality, and authenticity that has defined us since 1975. From our founders to our current leaders, their dedication to serving fresh, fast, and healthy food in a friendly atmosphere has remained unwavering. Their commitment extends beyond our shops, fostering a culture that values our employees and actively supports the communities we serve.
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Mike Haggerty, Co-Owner ThunderCloud Subs
Mike Haggerty was a ThunderCloud customer in 1977 when he met Andy Cotton and John Meddaugh, the founders of ThunderCloud Subs, at the original ThunderCloud Subs on Lavaca St. near the UT campus. Andy and John had been talking about franchising ThunderCloud, and brought Mike on as their first franchisee, and in 1989 Mike became the franchisor (the company stopped franchising in 1999).
Years with the company:
44. I signed up as the first franchisee for ThunderCloud in 1980. My first store was the Lake Austin Blvd. location, which opened in Fall, 1981.
Where were you born?
Dallas, Texas
Where did you go to school and what did you major in?
I was on the eight-year plan. I started at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine and went there for two years, then to a community college in Illinois while working in the Chicago area, then finished at UT with a business degree.
Describe your role at ThunderCloud, past and present.
Spreading the ThunderCloud brand and culture outside of the central Austin area and developing systems that ensure we maintain our quality, personality, and service. Our office owns and operates 14 locations: 9 in the Austin area, one in each: San Antonio, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Dripping Springs, and Georgetown.
What are you most proud of when it comes to ThunderCloud?
- Good people. Our customer base and the employees I have had the privilege of working with. Learning together and trying to get better every day. We continue to learn together every day.
- The culture that is ThunderCloud… our employees and customers have created it.
- The responses people have when they learn I am an owner of ThunderCloud.
- Working hard for something that paid off and grew into something I never imagined.
Do you have a favorite memory from ThunderCloud’s early days?
Buying a kick-ass stereo with our first profits.
Of all of the things ThunderCloud does to build community, what is most meaningful to you personally?
The success of the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot. The great people within our company, combined with our collective enthusiasm, energy and skill sets, turned this into an Austin Thanksgiving Day tradition that has grown since 1991 to include more than 21,000 participants in 2024. For 34 years, the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot has contributed 100% of event proceed to Caritas of Austin to benefit the less fortunate in our community. The cumulative contribution from the Trot is now over $5.4 million dollars. The event’s success and goodwill in our community blows me away. The energy and enthusiasm of the volunteers is simply nourishing for the soul. The TCloud Trot has shown me that volunteering and service are a prescription for happiness.
What do you most love about Austin?
The people.
What are your favorite leisure time activities?
Sailing, golf, hiking in parks and being with my family and friends.
Please describe your family.
I’ve been blissfully married for 46 years. We have four great kids who are each unique and fun to be with. We are up to 6 grandkids and every day with them is a blessing and a joy.
Is your family involved with the company, and if so, how?
They are all involved in their own way. My wife Jeanie was instrumental in our success. We never would have succeeded without her insight and guidance. (We call her “The Inspector General.”) My son Ben is currently in charge of the ThunderCloud supply chain, he manages all of our product lines and purchases. The other 3 grew ups with ThunderCloud, know the business intimately and constantly provide insightful observations and suggestions.
How many times per week do you eat at ThunderCloud?
At least 4 days a week. I get fantastic service and the food is always great!
Do you have other favorite local businesses in Austin?
Deep Eddy Cabaret, Amy’s Ice Cream, and many other locally owned businesses.
How many years have you personally run in the Turkey Trot?
Only the first three years. Since then I have been Executive race director and am glued to command central on race day. I do my five miles running around in small circles.
What’s your favorite ThunderCloud Sub?
I like them all and make sure to eat every item on the menu at least a few times a year. If I had to pick one…I just can’t!
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Patty Sughrue, Co-Owner ThunderCloud Subs
When Patty answered a classified ad for a part-time bookkeeper in 1979, she had no way of knowing that her college job would turn into a lifetime career. She was married to her husband, Paul, she was an archaeology major at UT, and a part-time bookkeeper with ThunderCloud. She grew-up, got smarter, worked hard, and now she is Co-Owner of ThuderCloud Subs.
Outside of ThunderCloud, Patty has a passion for music and writing. She taught herself to play guitar in high school and mostly enjoyed jamming with family and friends. She received a gift of Vocal Lessons for her 50th birthday. After several lessons, she tabled her lounge singing dream and got more serious about song writing. She has recorded two CDs of original songs: “Writers, Poets, and Singers,” produced by Lloyd Maines, and a second album of original songs with her husband, Paul, and son, with Paul singing and playing on all tracts: “She Ain’t Broken,” also produced by Lloyd Maines.
Patty is extremely proud of ThunderCloud’s growth. Never skimping on food quality, developing lasting relationships with employees and maintaining an honest and moral work ethic keeps her going and sleeping well at night. She also takes pride in the community partnerships grown with ThunderCloud.
“The ability to help in crisis situations with the Red Cross or feeding neighborhood groups and local projects gives us the opportunity and hope of making a difference one person or one group at a time. And, of course, I am extremely humbled by the success of our annual ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot. We, along with many of our employees, have worked every event for 35 years. We are so grateful to all our volunteers, runners, and partners for the impact it has had on Austin and Caritas of Austin.”
She is often asked when she will retire. Her answer is easy, “Why? I love my job and the people I work with. I’m proud to be here.”
Where were you born?
Gainesville, Texas.
Where did you go to school?
I went to Reagan High School in Austin, and attended UT as an archeology major (didn’t graduate, yet).
Describe your role at ThunderCloud, past and present.
Started as a part-time bookkeeper while attending UT in Austin. Now, I’m co-owner of Thundercloud Subs.
What three things are you most proud of when it comes to ThunderCloud?
- We NEVER compromise on food quality – EVER!
- We have wonderful long-term employees, both management and submarine techs.
- We have an honest and moral work ethic that makes me sleep really well at night.
Do you have a favorite memory from ThunderCloud’s early days?
Knowing John and Andy when they were in their 20s. They would come to work in those little bitty jogging shorts from the 70s. They were the first real Yankees I was ever around, and their accents sounded weird to me. My family actually accused me of starting to sound like a Yankee from hanging out with them so much, and would tell me to slow down my talking! It’s especially funny because they’ve always made fun of my accent.
Of all of the things ThunderCloud does to build community, what is most meaningful to you personally?
The ability to help in crisis situations; to be able to react quickly to feed emergency personnel during fires or catastrophic events. I like being able to help, on smaller scales, by feeding underprivileged children’s groups or smaller adult groups trying to improve themselves. It’s not always as glamorous as big charitable events, but it makes me feel like we made a difference one person or small group at a time. And, of course, I am extremely proud of our annual ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot. My family and I have worked at every single one of them, and we are all so proud of its positive impact on Austin.
What do you most love about Austin?
It’s pretty to look at. I like the Town Lake trail and the surrounding hills and rivers. It’s real pretty to see when you’re driving in or out at night.
What are your favorite leisure time activities?
Playing and writing music with my husband, Big Paul, and my son. I also love to travel with them, and just hang out together.
Please describe your family.
I have been married to Paul for 49 years. We were high school sweethearts who met in band. We love songwriting, playing music together and recording. We love to travel and have new adventures! Our son, Paul, graduated from Texas State with a degree in Business Management and is co-owner of Thundercloud Subs. He is an avid golfer, traveler and a really good musician and songwriter. He plays several instruments and can be heard singing and playing on Patty Gayle’s “She Ain’t Broken”.
Is your family involved with the company, and if so, how?
My husband, Big Paul, volunteers at our ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trots. He can be seen in the shops doing repairs and upkeep. Fun Fact: The Big Paul Sub is named after him! My son, Paul has grown up in ThunderCloud, literally, and is now the Co-Owner of ThunderCloud Subs!
How many times per week do you eat at ThunderCloud?
4-5 times a week – we eat something from one of our locations almost every day.
Do you have other favorite local businesses in Austin?
I like to eat at the dive-iest Mexican food places I can find. We go to Siena for special dinners out. I still honky tonk at the Broken Spoke.
What’s your favorite ThunderCloud Sub?
Chicken Salad on scooped out French bread, provolone cheese, and chopped pepperoncini peppers.
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Paul Sughrue, Co-Owner ThunderCloud Subs
Growing up as a part of the ThunderFamily, Paul has worked for ThunderCloud Subs in almost every capacity. In his early teens he painted and helped remodel stores with co-founder, John. He started working in the stores as a sub-maker at 16. Paul has opened and managed several locations for ThunderCloud and volunteered at every annual ThunderCloud Subs Turney Trot since day one. He has advanced from sub-maker to manager to Director of Operations for ThunderCloud, Inc. to proud Co-Owner of ThunderCloud Subs.
Outside of ThunderCloud, Paul is an avid traveler and “frustrated” golfer. Growing up in a house of music, he is the co-owner of Little Honey Records, plays guitar, bass, mandolin and drums. He writes his own songs and can be heard singing and playing on Patty Gayle’s “She Ain’t Broken.”
Paul graduated with a business degree from Texas State University in San Marcos, and puts those skills to work daily.
“I am most proud of these two things: the fact that we never ever compromise on food quality. Ever. And, just as important, the quality of our employees. Our employees are a huge reason we are successful. We have many long-term employees that have been with us for 20 plus years. They are like family and make ThunderCloud a special place for us and our customers.”
Paul is so proud of their product, that he eats at ThunderCloud 4-5 days a week!
Years with the company:
29
Where were you born?
Right here in Austin!
Where did you go to school and what did you major in?
Graduated with a degree in Business Management from Texas State University
Describe your role at ThunderCloud, past and present.
Remodeler, sub-maker, manager, office management, Director of Operations for ThunderCloud, Inc. and now Co-Owner of ThunderCloud Subs.
What are you most proud of when it comes to ThunderCloud?
- We never compromise on quality.
- We have the absolute best managers and employees.
- Our decades long relationships and partnerships with other local companies, like New World Bakery, Segovia Produce, and Prosperity Bank, to name a few.
- Our community involvement.
Do you have a favorite memory from ThunderCloud’s early days?
Running in a Turkey costume with the kids at the early ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trots. It’s not as easy as it looks!
Of all of the things ThunderCloud does to build community, what is most meaningful to you personally?
I am very proud and grateful to be in a position to be able to help the Red Cross, at a moment’s notice, in local emergencies. And, of course, I’m extremely proud of our ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot, benefitting Caritas of Austin.
What do you most love about Austin?
The beauty and surrounding Hill Country
What are your favorite leisure time activities?
Golfing and traveling
How many times per week do you eat at ThunderCloud?
4-5
Do you have other favorite local businesses in Austin?
Breakfasts at Little Mexico and Austin Diner
What’s your favorite ThunderCloud Sub?
It changes, right now I’m loving the tuna with pickles and salami on Whole Wheat!