IRVINE

After about three decades in media and communications, Larry Thomas, the Irvine Co.’s senior vice president of corporate communications has decided to pursue a growing personal wish list. He plans to leave the company in February to get into better physical and spiritual shape by reading, perfecting his backhand, becoming a better photographer and climbing more mountains.

He said he is also looking forward to becoming a more attentive father to his 19-year-old daughter, Leigh.

He began his career as a reporter in San Diego covering politics. After following former Gov. Pete Wilson’s race, the politician offered the 22-year-old a position as press secretary. The opportunity was too tempting to pass up, he said.

The career shift eventually took Thomas all the way to Washington, D.C., serving as press secretary for then-Vice President George Bush. Thomas later decided to enter the world of business.