KURT  L.  THOMAS  

CURRENT  POSITION  

  High  Ground  Consulting  Group  Inc.  Project  Manager,  specializing  in  Lean  Six  Sigma  Processes  and  Procedures.  JPME  (Joint  Professional  Military  Educator)  Certified  Instructor.  DRRS-­‐S  (Defense  Readiness  Reporting  System-­‐Strategic)  System  Analyst.  Pursuing  OPMBA  (Colorado  State  University)  

(970)  646-­‐6210                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    kthomas@highgroundgroupllc.com  

SUMMARY  OF  QUALIFICATIONS  

  Process  focused-­‐Results  driven  professional  with  an  active  Top  Secret  Security  Clearance.    Honorably  served  four  years  in  the  Active  US  Army  as  a  Transportation,  Logistics,  and  Operations  Officer  (Captain).  Confident,  quick  learner  with  strong  problem  solving  skills,  decision  making  skills,  and  a  proven  ability  to  adapt  and  perform  under  pressure  in  diverse  environments.  Highly  motivated,  reliable  team  player  willing  to  contribute  to  the  overall  success  of  an  organization.      

• Project  Management  (PMI)    • Leadership  • Work  ethic  • Conceptual  • Attention  to  detail  • Communication  • Interpersonal  • Creative  

• Six  Sigma  tools  and  methodologies  

• Planning  &  Operations  • Organizational  

Effectiveness  &  Efficiency  • Self-­‐starter  • Process  focused  • Accountability  

 

 

EXPERIENCE  

   PROJECT  MANAGER,  JOINT  PROFESSIONAL  MILITARY  EDUCATION  INSTRUCTOR,  LEAN  SIX  SIGMA  SME,  LEAD  BUSINESS  DEVELOPER  CONTRACTING  AND  CONSULTING  SERVICES,  HIGH  GROUND  CONSULTING  GROUP,  INC.  (2013  to  Present)  *Professional  Internship  with  High  Ground  Consulting  Group,  Inc.  (6  months)  Plan  and  Manage  projects  to  ensure  success  and  customer  satisfaction.  Lead  project  planning  and  execution  to  include  designing  and  structuring  the  project  initiation  and  creating  Project  Management  Plans  in  collaboration  with  the  customer,  stakeholders,  and  High  Ground  Team  members,  as  required  by  the  project.  Manage  cross-­‐functional  and  co-­‐located  high  performing  teams  to  meet  project  tollgates  and  milestones  in  order  to  meet  and  exceed  customer  demand  and  expectations.    

• Business  Development.  Managed  databases  and  performed  metric  based  risk  

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 PG.  2  

analysis  and  reporting.  Built  and  managed  weighted  decision  matrices  in  order  to  assist  management  and  key  stakeholders  when  making  “Go,  No-­‐Go,”  strategic  decisions.      

• Performed  as  a  DRRS-­‐S  (Defense  Readiness  Reporting  System-­‐Strategic)  Analyst  and  lead  Lean  Six  Sigma  SME  at  Joint  Staff  J-­‐7  (Joint  Training),  Suffolk,  Virginia.  Performed  metric/data  analysis  in  DRRS  and  throughout  the  J-­‐7  organization  to  identify  gaps,  disconnects  and  deficiencies,  mitigate  process  variance,  as  well  as  areas  to  improve  process  development  and  standardization.  Personally  conducted  individual  and  collective  training  on  DRRS-­‐S  system  functionalities,  interdependencies  and  disconnects  between  readiness  (DRRS)  and  training  (JTIMS-­‐Joint  Training  Information  Management  System)  environments,  process  improvement,  enterprise  risk  management,  exercise  design,  identification  and  responses  to  process  variation  (6Ms),  etc.  for  over  70  senior  level  Officers,  Non  Commission  Officers,  GS  13-­‐15s,  and  Contractors.  Utilized  Six  Sigma  tools,  techniques,  and  procedures  to  develop  a  standardized  framework  for  data  analysis  and  interpretation,  trend  analysis  focused  toward  predictive  problem  solving,  cross-­‐walking/traceability  of  data  between  systems  to  ensure  effective  and  efficient  application  of  resources.    Developed  and  produced  a  tailored  Joint  Staff  J-­‐7,  DRRS-­‐S  to  JTIMS  Education  and  Training  Manual/Handbook-­‐  Printed  and  published  Dec  2015.  

• JPME  (Joint  Professional  Military  Education)  Certified  Instructor,  Washington  DC.  Instructor  for  the  DCE  (DRRS  Center  for  Excellence)  OE  (Operational  Employment)  course.    One  of  three  instructors  to  over  90  students  in  the  operational  use,  employment,  functionality,  and  analysis  of  DRRS-­‐S,  Process  development,  the  use  of  DMAIC  for  process  improvement  and  strategic  operational  decision  making,  meeting  customer  demand,  as  well  as  optimizing  performance.      

• Lead  Project  Manager  for  the  100th  Missile  Defense  Brigade  DRRS-­‐S  analysis,  review,  education,  and  follow  on  recommendations.  Conducted  training  for  the  Brigade  Command  team  and  staff  on  the  DRRS  Enterprise,  current  and  future  state  reported  assessments  based  on  dependencies/interdependencies,  horizontal  and  vertical  linkages.  Provided  operational  instruction  for  the  Brigade  Staff  on  operator  level  DRRS-­‐S.  

PART  OWNER,  MARKETING,  OPERATIONS,  SALES,  AMERICAN  INNOVATIONS,  LLC  (2014-­‐Present)  Part  owner  of  a  Service  Disabled  Veteran  Owned  small  business  specializing  in  the  design,  development,  and  sale  of  shooting  sport  products.    Lead  director  of  marketing  and  sales,  lead  director  of  current  and  future  operations,  graphic  designer,  customer  support  and  requisition  specialist.  Lead  coordinator  for  all  manufacturing  decisions,  injection  mold  alterations,  packaging,  labeling,  distribution,  tracking,  R&D-­‐new  product  development.  Developed  and  managed  multiple  websites  and  primary  business  sales  site.    Coordinated  and  conducted  numerous  sales  to  state,  civilian,  and  federal  agencies  to  include  city  and  state  police  departments,  military  (national  guard,  active  duty,  and  special  operations),  state-­‐department  of  natural  resources  hunter  education  programs  and  Law  Enforcement  agencies.  Performed  sales  and  customer  metric  analysis  and  conducted  workshops  in  order  to  better  streamline  our  process  and  optimize  our  outreach  to  our  target  market.  Performed  dozens  of  large-­‐scale  sales  presentations  to  hundreds  in  attendance  ranging  from;  state  and  local  officials,  retailers,  distributors,  and  

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individual  buyers.      BATTALION  OPERATIONS  OFFICER  (COMBAT  SUSTAINMENT  AND  SUPPORT  BATTALION)  US  ARMY  

(2012-­‐2013)  Principal  staff  officer  for  all  training,  operations,  planning,  resourcing,  communications,  and  force  transformation.  Responsible  for  operational  synchronization  and  coordination  with  staff  sections  and  subordinate  units  within  the  battalion.    

• Coordinated,  planned,  and  implemented  numerous  transportation,  combat  live  fire,  individual  and  unit  training  exercises  with  foreign  military  forces  while  overseas  resulting  in  over  200  US  Soldiers  earning  numerous  foreign  and  US  military  awards/commendations.  

• Analyzed  high  level  operation  orders;  interfaced  with  supporting  units  and  advised  commanding  officers  to  meet  mission  requirements,  training,  organizational  movement  goals  and  objectives.  

• Planned,  coordinated,  and  deployed  logistical  support,  transportation,  and  resources  to  multiple  locations  throughout  Europe  and  the  Middle  East  in  support  of  contingency  operations  and  mission  support.  

• Planned,  initiated,  and  managed  unit  resources  in  support  of  two  multinational  WWII  ceremonies  in  Belgium  with  over  2000  military  and  civilian  personnel  in  attendance.  Performed  as  the  senior  liaison  with  Belgian  ceremony  coordinators  and  foreign  military  personnel.  

QUARTERMASTER  SUPPORT  COMPANY  EXECUTIVE  OFFICER  (COMBAT  SUSTAINMENT  AND  SUPPORT  BATTALION),  US  ARMY  

(2011-­‐2012)  Provided  supervision  and  management,  operational  planning  over  all  personnel,  reporting,  training  and  support  operations,  and  company  readiness.  Responsible  for  the  health  and  welfare  of  over  280  Soldiers  and  400  family  members.  Accountable  for  the  supervision  and  maintenance  of  230  line  items  of  organizational  equipment  valued  at  over  $20M.  Performed  high  level  development,  planning,  as  well  as  the  resourcing  for  all  unit-­‐training  requirements.  

• Instructed  and  trained  junior  leaders  and  peers  on  Mission  Essential  Task  List  (METL)  development  and  training  management.  Implemented  trainers  packets  derived  from  lessons  learned  to  improve  overall  quality  of  collective  training.    

• Appointed  multiple  times  by  senior  leadership  to  assume  command  responsibilities  based  on  successful  performance.  

• Lead  in  an  effectiveness  and  efficiency  (Lean)  project  and  managed  the  unit  turn  in  of  excess  and  damaged  equipment  in  order  to  reduce  waste,  improve  quality  management,  and  increase  unit  effectiveness.    The  excess  turn  in  resulted  in  $225K  in  savings  to  the  Army  inventory.    

• Used  root  cause  analysis  and  DMAIC  methodologies  to  improve  maintenance  and  accountability  processes  resulting  in  100%  measurable  improvement  in  efficiency  and  effectiveness  of  equipment  storage  and  tracking,  improved  lines  

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 PG.  4  

of  communication  for  scheduled  inventory,  and  overall  total  process  improvement  for  sustainable  and  accurate  maintenance  reporting.  

• Developed  and  implemented  a  Unit  Movement  Plan  for  the  relocation  of  the  Company  within  a  foreign  theater.    Developed:  process  map,  load  plans,  route  plans,  refueling,  marshaling  at  POE  and  POD  (point  of  embarkation/debarkation),  load  and  offload  requirements,  driver  and  operator  training  requirements,  individual  convoy  plans,  and  communications  requirements  and  planning.    

QUARTERMASTER  SUPPORT  COMPANY,  SUPPLY  SUPPORT  AUTHORITY  PLATOON  LEADER,    (COMBAT  SUSTAINMENT  AND  SUPPORT  BATTALION),  US  ARMY  

(2010-­‐2011)  Responsible  for  the  accountability  and  maintenance  of  vehicles  and  equipment  valued  at  over  $7M.  Responsible  for  mentoring  junior  leaders,  maintaining  standards,  discipline,  training,  as  well  as  ensuring  readiness  of  personnel  and  equipment.      

• Provided  leadership,  guidance,  and  oversight  to  the  operational  effectiveness,  efficiency  and  readiness  of  the  Supply  Support  Authority  warehouse,  resulting  in  the  unit  being  awarded  the  FY11  Supply  Excellence  Award,  small  category  for  21st  Theater  Support  Command.    

• Responsible  for  the  overall  success  of  an  Air  Assault  Mobile  Training  Team  (MTT)  Course,  providing  seamless  life  support,  training  equipment,  aerial  support  coordination,  and  supplies  for  instructors  as  well  as  300  students.  Maintained  accountability  of  over  2000  pieces  of  equipment  valued  at  over  $2M  with  100%  accountability.    

• Planned  and  developed  all  Platoon  training.    Developed  a  ‘train  the  trainers’  program  with  trackers,  tasks,  conditions,  and  standards  in  order  to  ensure  quality  courses  of  instruction  are  taught  effectively  from  knowledgeable  leaders.      

• Volunteered  to  train  and  license  on  all  Material  Handling  Equipment  and  vehicles  organic  to  my  Platoon  in  order  to  better  provide  more  effective  guidance  and  experience  during  warehouse  operations  and  training.  

GOLD  BAR  RECRUITER    (COLORADO  STATE  UNIVERSITY),  2LT  US  ARMY  ROTC    

(2010-­‐2011)  Developed  all  training  objectives,  events,  and  timelines  for  incoming  freshman  during  ‘Zero  Week’  which  was  designed  to  provide  fun,  challenging  activities  for  over  50  students  interested  in  Army  ROTC.  Coordinated  all  logistics,  food  items,  meal  plans,  and  life  support  during  the  event.    

• Developed  all  training  objectives,  events,  and  timelines  for  incoming  freshman  during  ‘Zero  Week’  that  was  designed  to  provide  fun  and  challenging  activities  for  over  50  students  interested  in  Army  ROTC.  Coordinated  all  logistics,  food  items,  meal  plans,  and  life  support  during  the  event.      

• Conducted  Academic  Interest  Sessions  during  orientation  day  for  students  and  parents  in  a  classroom  setting  where  I  would  answer  all  questions  pertaining  to  the  Army  ROTC  Program,  curriculum,  scholarship  opportunities  and  benefits  

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 PG.  5  

offered  while  in  the  program.    • Assisted  with  recruiting  operations  during  freshman  Orientation  Day  by  

running  an  information  table  designed  to  give  visual  and  verbal  information  about  the  ROTC  program  to  incoming  freshman.      

• Organized  records  for  applicants  as  well  as  prospected  cadets.  • Organized  and  was  able  to  articulate  all  forms  and  handouts  involved  with  

recruiting  operations  as  well  as  scholarship  opportunities,  curriculum,  and  benefits.  

• Responsible  for  designing  all  internal  advertisements  and  special  events  posters  on  and  around  campus.  

EDUCATION  AND  TRAINING  

  DIO  (DRRS  IMPLEMENTATION  OFFICE)  • Certification  in  Defense  Readiness  Reporting  (2015)  • Certified  JPME  (Joint  Professional  Military  Education)  Instructor  (2015)  • Certified  O/T  (Observer  Trainer)  Joint  Staff  J-­‐7,  Suffolk  (2015)  

VILLANOVA  UNIVERSITY  

• Certification  Lean  Six  Sigma  Black  Belt  (2014)    • Master  Certification  Six  Sigma  (2014)  • Master  Certification  Lean  Enterprise  Solutions  (2014)  • Certification  Lean  Six  Sigma  (2014)    • Certification  Six  Sigma  Green  Belt  (2014)  • Project  Management  Capstone  Certification  (2014)  • Certification  Applied  Project  Management  (2013)  • Certification  Essentials  of  Project  Management  (2013)  • Certification  Advanced  Strategic  Project  Management  (2013)  • Certification  Mastering  Project  Management  (2013)  • Master  Certification  Applied  Project  Management  IS/IT  (2013)    

COLORADO  STATE  UNIVERSITY  

• Currently  pursuing  an  MBA  (2016)  • BS  in  Landscape  Architecture  (2010)  

MILITARY  EDUCATION/TRAINING:  

• Unit  Movement  Officer  (UMO)  (2011)  • Composite  Risk  Management  Basic  Course  (2011)  • LOG215  (Maintenance  Leaders  Course)  (2012)  • LOG73  (Unit  Level  Supply/Logistics  Enhanced  Course)  (2011)  • TBOLC  (Transportation  Basic  Officer  Leader  Course)  (2010-­‐2011)  • Airborne  School  (2007)  • LDAC  (Leadership  Development  Advanced  Course)  (2009)  • LTC  (Leadership  Training  Course)  (2007)  

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 PG.  6  

AWARDS  AND  DECORATIONS  

    Army  Commendation  Medal  (2),  Army  Achievement  Medal  (2),  Military  Outstanding  Volunteer  Award,  Airborne  Tab,  German  Logistics  Excellence  Badge  (Gold),  German  Sports  Badge  (Gold),  German  Marksmanship  Badge/Schutzenschnur  (Gold),  Physical  Fitness  Excellence  Badge,  Global  War  on  Terrorism  Service  Medal,  Overseas  Service  Ribbon