diff --git a/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/util/Tools.java b/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/util/Tools.java
index 25c0213eab..6df74b05b7 100644
--- a/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/util/Tools.java
+++ b/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/util/Tools.java
@@ -138,6 +138,19 @@ public abstract class Tools {
                 .build();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns a thread factory that produces threads with MAX_PRIORITY.
+     *
+     * @param factory backing ThreadFactory
+     * @return thread factory
+     */
+    public static ThreadFactory maxPriority(ThreadFactory factory) {
+        return new ThreadFactoryBuilder()
+                .setThreadFactory(factory)
+                .setPriority(Thread.MAX_PRIORITY)
+                .build();
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns true if the collection is null or is empty.
      *