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