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| Dr. Dwayne B. Thomas, Ph.D. |
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Dr. Thomas is the Executive Director and Chief Learning Officer for the A. T. Davis Foundation. He founded the ATDF as The MOTIVA Group. Incorporated (TMG), in 1998, after serving in numerous leadership and organizational development positions across the US and Western Europe. He specializes in organizational leadership, human performance improvement, organizational change management, and organizational effectiveness.
Dr. Thomas has more than 25 years as a training and leadership development professional. He has spent the last six years as a Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Chicagoland area. He was the first Director of Professional & Leadership Development for Special Olympics, International. While at SOI, Dr. Thomas created the Professional and Leadership Development office within the Department of Human Resources and served as the internal consultant for executive and leadership training for the executives and leaders responsible for the more than 200 SOI programs in 150+ countries.
Dr. Thomas is an active member of International Leadership Development organizations. his memberships include the National Staff Development Council, North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD), and the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). ASTD selected Dr. Thomas to serve on the 2003 International Conference and Exposition, Program Advisory Committee and to co-chair the Personal Improvement Committee.
Dr. Thomas is a lifelong learner. He is nearing completion of the Illinois State Board of Education requirements for Type 75 Administrators certificate. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Education from Florida State University. At FSU he received recognition as one of the top 3 students to ever graduate from the Department of Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports Management. As a Graduate student at The University of Iowa, he was awarded a Graduate Academic Fellowship, received recognition as a member of the Iowa Institute for School Executives, where he completed courses beyond his Masters degree in Educational Leadership and received a Masters Degree in Athletic Administration, Physical Education Administration, and Coaching. Dr. Thomas is also a graduate of Bethany College, in Lindsborg, Kansas where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree and K-12 Teaching Certification.
During his doctoral studies, Dr. Thomas served as a Consultant and Curriculum Specialist for the Florida Department of Education. He provided technical assistance and support, executive and leadership coaching, and numerous training seminars for the School District Coordinators and officials in Health Education, Physical Education, and Wellness representing Florida's 67 School Districts. He also served as a member of the Coordinated School Health Program grant writing team that was awarded a $4 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. He is the former President of the Florida Association for Sports in the Florida Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (FAHPERD), and a former member of the FAHPERD Board of Directors.
In addition to his Learning Activities, Dr. Thomas has served as a Student Affairs Officer at several Colleges and Universities across the US. He has also served as a former K-12 public and private school teacher and coach. Early in his career he was Physical Education Specialist for Adapted PE in the Iowa City Community School District.
Dr. Thomas has extensive sports coaching, officiating, and administration experiences. He served as the Head Track & Field Coach, Athletic Director, and Leadership Program Coordinator for St. Martin De Porres Cathlic High School in Waukegan, IL., as the Head Coach of the Newcastle Senators American Football Team in Newcastle-upon-tyne, Great Britain, as an Assistant Head coach for the Iowa City Regina HS Basketball (4th place finish at State Tourney) team, numerous Track & Field teams and individuals, and as a coach for Junior High Football and Basketball. He has also served as an official for Volleyball, Basketball, ASA Softball, and Track & Field.
Dr. Thomas continues to lead advocacy efforts for education, wellness and healthy living, and leadership development for underrepresented children, youth and adults. He has presented to numerous international, national, and regional leaders. He is currently working on his first book entitled The Passion Principle: Determining your Passion Quotient for Leadership.
Dr. Thomas is a Situational Leadership Theorist and uses contemporary research knowledge, vignettes from his outstanding professional experiences, humor, wit, and passion to assist audiences to reach their untapped potential for excellence in their leadership initiatives. He has a results-based approach that continually helps others achieved their desired performance goals.
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