EDWIN JODY THOMAS

**** *********** ***** • Watauga, TX 76148 • Cell: 817-***-**** • aca9l7@r.postjobfree.com

HUMAN RESOURCES EXECUTIVE

Strategic Human Resources Executive, U.S. Veteran, and proactive business partner with extensive intergovernmental and

international experience.

Proficient in guiding the development of performance-driven, customer-driven, and market-driven organizations.

Proven effectiveness in providing vision and counsel in steering organizations through periods of accelerated growth and economic

downturn; previous employers include the U.S. Army, Lowe’s, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Expert in developing policies/procedures with a talent for developing strategies to improve employee acquisition and retention rates.

Proficient in all aspects of personnel administration with superb time management, problem solving and troubleshooting skills with

the ability to prioritize assignments and manage multiple projects simultaneously; very proficient in working effectively

independently or as part of a team.

Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills; ability to build rapport with key stakeholders and succeed in high-

pressure, challenging and deadline-driven environments.

Human Resource HR Strategic Planning Program Implementation

Management M&A Activities Affirmative Action Plans

Talent Management Systems Conflict Resolution Training Programs

Compensation & Benefits HR & Equal Opportunity Relationship Building

Budget Planning & Affairs Management Development

Execution Cost Reduction Programs

Succession Planning

Performance Improvement Problem Management

Modules

Diversity & Inclusion

Program Development

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, DC 2011-Present

Program Analyst, Training Support Office (TSO), Office of the Secretary (2013-Present)

Conceive and establish the direction and standards for training events within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Streamline and oversee reporting and serve as a member of the review team charged with supporting and facilitating training

event requests that must be approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Organize and approve VA training events including budget, scope, outcome, and make recommendations to the Chief of Staff.

Prepare reports and summarize the status of training programs for the use of the Secretary.

Create and implement a variety of monitoring techniques to identify discrepancies.

Evaluate and revise program guides, work measurement devices and performance standards; reviews impact of changes and

new issuances of policies, regulations and procedures implemented by the administration.

Employment Specialist, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (2012-2013)

Championed implementation of the employment assistance program at each VR&E Division.

Conducted studies of diverse state, regional and local employment laws/regulations, identified impediments to the hiring of job-

ready disabled veterans, recommended solutions for improvement including opportunities for the career employment of job-

ready disabled veterans and coordinates the t implementation of VR&E employment policies.

Guided the development and oversight of a system to track employers hiring VR&E veterans and other supportive information

technology applications to better assist field employment staff in reaching successful outcomes.

Responded to all employment services inquiries from the GAO, IG, Congress, and veteran service organizations.

Planned and coordinated job fairs to promote the value of hiring disabled veterans, maintained a national network of

private/public sector employers, and provided transition assistance to veterans being discharged from military service.

Program Analyst - Veterans Employment Services Office Retention and Reintegration Section (2011-2012)

Led, coordinated, and executed the highly visible VAforVETS call center ribbon cutting ceremony.

Managed the organization’s retention and reintegration program operations.

Supported deployment lifecycle, reintegration, career development, coaching, and on-boarding for veterans and military service

members.

Utilized comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of administrative laws, policies, regulations, and legal precedents as they

relate to the employment of disabled veterans.

Participated in the planning and execution of the VAforVETS job fair in Washington, DC.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, VA 2010-2011

Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist - Office of Diversity and Inclusive Workforce Management

• Performed a full range of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity activities.

• Facilitated the implementation of the disabled veterans and disability program and reviewed/documented evaluated employee

and applicant requests for reasonable accommodations.

• Wrote letters of acceptance/dismissal and reviewed applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Prepared Minorities in Higher Education reports and provided input and analysis of data in the preparation of the Fish and

Wildlife Service MD-715 report.

• Performed studies and workforce analysis to identify issues and recommend changes to boost employment opportunities for

minorities, disabled veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

• Served as the Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor for all informal complaints in the Washington, DC Region.

• Interviewed aggrieved personnel, explained EEO processes, attempted resolutions, and wrote counseling reports.

• Designed and conducted training managers, supervisors, and employees in the areas of inclusive workforce management, equal

opportunity, and diversity to include EEO Laws, EEO Complaints Process, ADR, Reasonable Accommodation, No FEAR Act,

Anti-Harassment, MD-110, and MD-715.

Pam and Company; Keller, TX 2009-2010

Business Consultant/Manager

Provided management and business consulting to the owner of a small wholesale manufacturing company in the home décor

industry with annual gross sales of $250,000.

Implemented Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and Six Sigma tools resulting in 25% reduction in operating expense and production

time.

Designed a company website and established business relationships with international suppliers to reduce merchandise costs by

75%.

Led a comprehensive company financial and operational analysis project and implemented policy changes and SOPs to enhance

quality and cost savings.

Upgraded company’s computer system and financial software package saving over 10 hours weekly in labor output.

Southern Star Concrete, Inc., Irving, TX 2009

Human Resources Director

Managed and directed human resources activities for the largest non-union ready-mixed concrete supplier in Texas and

Arkansas with over 900 employees.

Devised and implemented HR policies and procedures.

Trained managers on conflict resolution.

Created an online training program which provided 75 hours of training for all managers and supervisors.

Conducted employee satisfaction surveys across the company in less than 60 days in over 50 locations.

Led an MBA capstone team on the development of job descriptions for the company.

Steered the company through its first mass lay off; zero complaints of discrimination were filed.

PACCAR/Peterbilt Motors Company, Denton, TX 2006-2009

Area Human Resources Manager

Managed human resources activities for a non-union truck manufacturing plant with over 1100 employees.

Coached managers on employee relations issues to maintain a union free workplace.

Interviewed and selected applicants for employment and counseled staff and managers on job and performance issues.

Resolved numerous workplace conflicts resulting in zero formal complaints and coached managers.

Oversaw vacation scheduling for the Peterbilt plant which saved 132 hours, and 100% reduction in paper usage.

Lowe's, Decatur, TX 2005-2006

Human Resources Manager

Managed all human resources activities for a Lowe's store with 110 employees.

Trained and coached store managers in employment law, sexual harassment, title VII, ADA, and interviewing.

Interviewed and hired over 100 new employees in less than 30 days.

Recruited, screened, and interviewed over 500 applicants and provided leadership during a new store set up resulting in zero

employee complaints.

United States Army, Various Worldwide Locations 1984-2005

Equal Opportunity Program Manager, Headquarters, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (E-8), Arlington, VA (2002-

2005)

Administered Equal Opportunity Activities of 20 Equal Opportunity Representatives (EORs) and 30 facilitators assigned to

global locations in the in the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.

Mentored personnel and ensured training was provided for over 1,600 personnel in compliance with government regulations.

Advised the Command on workforce diversity, affirmative action, sensitivity training, and command workplace climate

assessment.

Managed a budget exceeding $100,000, coordinate offsite contract issues, and organized training and logistics in partnership

with Security, Intel, Information Management, HR, Public Affairs, and Legal personnel.

Analyzed statistical complaint data and served as an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mediator/Counselor resolve complex

issues which resulted in a complete absence of formal complaints during tenure of three years as the EOA for USASMDC.

Served as a Senior Executive Training Coordinator, conducted or organized and coordinated senior executive training for five

SESs, two general officers, and GS-15 senior officers (COL). Classes consisted of Prevention of Sexual Harassment, Equal

Opportunity, and Human Relations.

Developed the Command's EO website to assist leaders with their EO programs, and the Facilitator Training Program.

Career Note:

Equal Opportunity Advisor (E-7), Headquarters, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Myer, VA (2000-2002)

Platoon Sergeant (E-7), E Company, 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), Fort Myer, VA (1996-2000)

Operations Sergeant (E-6), Headquarters, National Training Center Support Battalion, Fort Irwin, CA (1994-1996)

Recruiter (E-6), Minneapolis Recruiting Battalion, Rice Lake, WI (1993-1994)

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

Executive MBA, Business Administration, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX, 2010

GPA: 3.42; 36 Semester Hours

Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice Administration, 2002; Park University, Parkville, MO, 2002

GPA: 3.57; 120 Semester Hours; graduated Cum Laude

Professional Training

Department of Veterans Affairs: Vocational Rehabilitation New Counselor-2012; Employment Coordinator, 2012

Department of Interior: EEO Counselor Course, 2010

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Disability Program Manager Basic, 2010; MD 715 Basic, 2010: EEO

Counselor Course, 2010; Drafting Letters of Acceptance and Dismissal, 2011; Barrier Analysis, 2011; Drafting Final Agency

Actions, 2011

Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute: EEO Specialist Course, 2004; EO Advisor Course, 2000

USDA Graduate School: Investigating Discrimination Complaints, 2000; Introduction to Federal EEO, 2000; EEO Counseling

Course, 2001; Personnel Management for Supervisors, 2003

Villanova University: Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, 2004

Justice Center of Atlanta: Basic and Advanced Mediation, 2000 and 2001

U.S. Army: Instructor Training Course, 2002; Small Group Instructor Training Course, 2000; Basic and Advanced Management

Courses, 1987 and 1999; U.S. Army Recruiter Course, 1992

Type Resources: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Administrator Certification, 2001

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