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 human performance improvement, organizational change management, and organizational effectiveness.
Dr. Thomas has more than 30 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 recently completed a stint as the Interim Director for the Department of Recreation and Parks (BCRP) for the City of Baltimore. As the Interim Director he directed the three major Bureaus and more than 325 full-time, and 1500 seasonal and part-time employees. He lead BCRP through one of the most difficult transitions in Baltimore's history. BCRP lost its Director in October, lost Mayor Sheila Dixon (on Corruption charges) in February, the transiton to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and an administration faced with a $121 million budget shortfall. In the midst of the shortfall Baltimore City instituted a new Budgeting For Outcomes (BFO) process. Six teams of professionals and community members were asked to assist the City. Dr. Thomas was asked and successfully served as a member of the Results Team charged with examining proposals for Making Baltimore a Safer City. He and his team spent long hours and succesfully reviewed proposals from the Police, Fire, State's Attorney's Office, Criminal Justice, and many other agencies. The Making Baltimore a Safer City team presented Mayor Rawlings Blake with creative options and solutions for meeting the budget shortfalls in each of these agencies.
Dr. Thomas is an active member of International Leadership Development organizations. His memberships include the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA), 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 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. He is nearing completion of the Illinois State Board of Education requirements for Type 75 Administrators certificate.
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; coached 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 in education, recreation, 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, competency-based strategies, and a skills-based approach to problem resolution. He shares 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 proven record of helping others to achieve their desired results and performance measures.
|
