JFF accelerates the alignment and transformation of the American workforce and education systems to ensure access to economic advancement for all. We collaborate with national leaders in education, workforce development, business, technology, government, and philanthropy. We develop powerful partnerships and networks that help scale our impact nationwide.I currently serve as a Senior Manager in JFF's Workforce and Regional Economies Practice. My current project portfolio includes: supporting technical assistance strategy and coaching for 32 grantees as part of the Good Jobs Challenge Community of Practice (supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA)); development and facilitation of the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration’s inaugural Job Quality Academy and Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs program; and JFF’s Workforce Communities of Action. My work is centered on job quality with a focus on building and strengthening worker-centered/ industry led sector partnerships and diversifying talent pipelines.

Thomas P. Miller and Associates empowers individuals, organizations, and communities to enhance economic value, expand the impact of valuable resources, and craft strategic growth initiatives for organizations.During my time at TPMA, I managed several projects for clients throughout the U.S. including:▪ America Makes- Youngstown, OH (National reach, workforce development)▪ Opportunity Appalachia- Chillicothe/ McConnellsville/ Zanesville, OH (Opportunity Zone technical assistance)▪ South Central Ohio Workforce Partnership- Fairfield/ Pickaway/ Hocking/ Ross/ Vinton Counties, OH (Labor/ Housing Analysis)▪ North Central Planning Council/ Strengthen ND- Devil's Lake, ND (Labor/Housing Analysis as part of CARES Act Recovery Coordination)▪ Allegany County Department of Economic Development- Allegany County, MD (Research and grant application assistance for infrastructure improvements)▪ Southeast Michigan Community Alliance (SEMCA)- Wayne County/ Monroe County, MI (strategic planning) I worked between two areas of expertise in the firm: Workforce Solutions & Innovation (with a concentration on Business & Industry Partnerships) and Economic Development & Community Resiliency.

In this capacity, I worked to create and guide the implementation of the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). I served as the point of contact between communities and organizations in the Eastgate district (Mahoning, Trumbull, and Ashtabula counties) and the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), offering hands-on technical assistance related to funding applications and projects. During my time at Eastgate, I served on the Ohio Area 17 and 18 Workforce Development Boards. I also collaborated with Cleveland State University Center for Economic Development to secure a $600,000 EDA grant to fund local recovery efforts following the non-allocation and subsequent closure of GM Lordstown.

As part of the Regional Chamber’s Economic Development Division, I led business retention and expansion efforts in Trumbull County. I also assisted with attraction efforts in conjunction with state and regional partners, JobsOhio and TeamNEO, respectively. During my tenure, I managed expansion projects totaling over $38 million of investment across a range of industries. Though many of my projects were industrial in nature, my very favorite project involved connecting two music-loving entrepreneurs-turned-friends to resources and financing to support the development of West Side Bowl, a bowling alley and music venue that represents significant re-investment in the Mahoning Avenue Corridor in Youngstown, Ohio.

In this role, I was one of three fellows selected to work in Cleveland as part of the Strong Cities, Strong Communities Initiative of the White House and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The fellowship placed 17 mid-career professionals in local government positions in economically challenged cities around the country and was managed by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Cleveland State University and Virginia Tech.I managed the creation of a new brand and world-class website for the City of Cleveland Department of Economic Development. In addition, I developed a communications strategy for the Department, including social media, special events and other outreach. I worked closely with the Mayor's Office of Communications and the Cleveland Citywide Development Corporation to ensure consistent messaging while promoting the City of Cleveland as an affordable and viable business location.

At DSCDO, I coordinated all fundraising activities and events as well as managed the layout, design and publication of marketing materials, the organization's annual report, weekly e-newsletter and quarterly newsletter. I maintained media and blogger contact lists and relationships and created and distributed press releases. I developed a well-researched retail recruitment strategy and employed techniques to attract new visitors to the Gordon Square Arts District. I provided technical guidance and added capacity to the Detroit Avenue Merchants Association, assisting with group advertising purchases, marketing coordination, and also developed a district-wide online events calendar.

As Greater Circle Living Manager I worked with institutions and neighborhood groups to promote an innovative employer-assisted housing program to employees of Greater University Circle. With the goal of promoting housing options and incentives to encourage the 45,000+ non-profit employees in this district to move closer to where they work, I employed the use of social media, institution-specific marketing campaigns, community events, and strategic partnerships to educate and inform.

In this role at Progressive Urban Real Estate, I created development project specific marketing campaigns, oversaw the design of marketing collateral, created and distributed a weekly e-newsletter, created co-marketing opportunities with local businesses and non-profits, and oversaw event planning and logistics. I provided marketing support to real estate professionals, created and implemented project promotions alongside developers and neighborhood organizations, and assisted in the company’s rebranding.