Herb Thomas Email & Phone Number

Owings Mills, Md, Us

CREATIVE DIRECTOR – Utilizing mastery of visual information techniques methods and practices, working directly with management or program staff, I design graphic materials for Medicaid.gov and InsureKidsNow.gov audiences. Using creative graphic design and web communication techniques I plan, design and develop visual communication materials for all public affairs audiences. Working with the contractor I design web best practice web-enabled page templates and navigation to be programmed into the… Show more CREATIVE DIRECTOR – Utilizing mastery of visual information techniques methods and practices, working directly with management or program staff, I design graphic materials for Medicaid.gov and InsureKidsNow.gov audiences. Using creative graphic design and web communication techniques I plan, design and develop visual communication materials for all public affairs audiences. Working with the contractor I design web best practice web-enabled page templates and navigation to be programmed into the web content management system. I continue to support technical troubleshooting and content development.WEB MASTER – As the initial COR for the development of Medicaid.gov, I coordinated and participated in regular communication with program management and subject matter experts to manage web content creation and updates, including writing plain language content effectively communicating policy principles. I analyzed and evaluated Google Analytics reports to advise management on web content performance/impact. As the inaugural CMS implementation of the Percussion software, I performed content updates utilizing HTML, Java Script and JSON to make coding edits and/or troubleshoot web functionality. Show less

In 2004 I transitioned to a "Health Insurance Specialist" ‘GS Series 0107’ to remain in the program offices as Information Technology lead. This transition allowed me to prioritize workflow from the policy side while executing the successful planning, development and implementation of the 1st web­-enabled application for the Medicaid program. My attention to detail, customer service, problem solving and oral communication allowed me to operate as a primarily independent lead.As the… Show more In 2004 I transitioned to a "Health Insurance Specialist" ‘GS Series 0107’ to remain in the program offices as Information Technology lead. This transition allowed me to prioritize workflow from the policy side while executing the successful planning, development and implementation of the 1st web­-enabled application for the Medicaid program. My attention to detail, customer service, problem solving and oral communication allowed me to operate as a primarily independent lead.As the Contract Officer Representative (COR) and Technical Lead on system development in the Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group (DEHPG), I developed the Waiver Management System (WMS) as a large scale custom coded 3-­tier Oracle database. The WMS, via secure connection allowed submission of request to changes to the section 1915c, 1915b and 1115 Medicaid authorities. I collaborated with multiple Divisions', management and Subject Matter Experts (SME) and the development contractor. I analyzed paper based processes and developed functional process improvements including fully functional work flow managing applications through a 90 day adjudication process, with role-based email notification and reporting. This development project included budget and resource management, managing contracted staff and development and implementation of Federal and State staff training programs.SYSTEM ADMIN – As the system administrator for the WMS, I managed access through Identity Management and distributed processing reports. I also lead discussions with CMS staff leading ongoing system improvement projects as the COR. I analyzed emerging technologies and software products before drafting recommendations and presenting them to management. I monitored system modification development utilizing the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Enterprise Architecture Framework development models. Show less

Collaborating directly with Medicaid program staff I developed multiple Microsoft Access databases to assist in grant program administration. I was also a technical adviser to the Government Task Lead (GTL) on a contract to develop the Waiver Management Database (WMDB) using MS Access. The WMDB was developed to assist in the reporting and administration of the 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver program. I worked with multiple Medicaid and CHIP staff across divisions to… Show more Collaborating directly with Medicaid program staff I developed multiple Microsoft Access databases to assist in grant program administration. I was also a technical adviser to the Government Task Lead (GTL) on a contract to develop the Waiver Management Database (WMDB) using MS Access. The WMDB was developed to assist in the reporting and administration of the 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver program. I worked with multiple Medicaid and CHIP staff across divisions to gather and document requirements and communicate them with the contractor. I also assisted in designing the User Interface based on work processes and system best practices.Working within a development operations model I performed ongoing maintenance and developed customized operational report tools. I performed application performance monitoring (APM) since the database was located on a shared drive for central and regional office use. Show less

Baltimore/Washington Area

Professional graphic services including:-Brand development-Logo creation-Development of any marketing or promotional materials including life events like weddings, baby showers and Birthdays

Greater Washington Dc, Baltimore Md Area

Gathering and studying information and materials, I planned concept illustrations and designed rough layout of art and copy regarding arrangement, size, type style, and related aesthetic concepts. After obtaining approval of concepts, I developed finished copy and artwork using Adobe Creative software for illustration, typesetting and print management. I contracted for organizations like, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), General Dynamics and the Internal Revenue Services (IRS)

9420 Key West Ave., Rockville Md 20850

Assuming lead graphic design responsibilities, I managed contracted design staff for all print and digital public affairs materials. Working directly with executive sales staff and corporate executives, I lead creative presentations on development of company­wide communication campaigns and programs including writing content. I then managed the creative direction and graphic design and ensured a quality of program materials to be used. I developed "plug-­n-­play" templates including defining… Show more Assuming lead graphic design responsibilities, I managed contracted design staff for all print and digital public affairs materials. Working directly with executive sales staff and corporate executives, I lead creative presentations on development of company­wide communication campaigns and programs including writing content. I then managed the creative direction and graphic design and ensured a quality of program materials to be used. I developed "plug-­n-­play" templates including defining scope and parameters for campaign material implementation. Show less

5711 Allentown Road, Suitland, Md 20746

Lead concept, coordination, design and production of projects to implement marketing communication and pubic affairs campaigns. Responsibility included writing content, and designing materials for multiple Credit Union branches. Maintaining effective working relationships with bank management and executives, I planned and developed visual presentation and message themes for public relations campaigns. Developing campaign ideas for the appropriate multimedia communication products before… Show more Lead concept, coordination, design and production of projects to implement marketing communication and pubic affairs campaigns. Responsibility included writing content, and designing materials for multiple Credit Union branches. Maintaining effective working relationships with bank management and executives, I planned and developed visual presentation and message themes for public relations campaigns. Developing campaign ideas for the appropriate multimedia communication products before designing the art work, and writing the content. After managing the corporate approval process, I managed the physical printing through various print vendors, contractors and the distribution of materials from the warehouse to Credit Union branches.As the lead on Marketing Coordination I assigned work to branch staff and provided instruction on display setup for branch lobbies and customer appreciation or acquisition events. Advised Branch managers on implementation of campaign materials to be used and the strategies for dissemination. Show less

9420 Key West Ave, Rockville, Md 20850

Coming to FT staff from internship as a Lead Graphic Artist, I developed international marketing and advertising materials used by the sales force for all corporate software products. Utilizing industry leading Adobe graphic and publishing software, I also developed sales presentations in MS Power point for sales and executive staff to communicate the benefits of our products vs the competitors. This involved creating visual materials to communicate complex information in a way that is clear to… Show more Coming to FT staff from internship as a Lead Graphic Artist, I developed international marketing and advertising materials used by the sales force for all corporate software products. Utilizing industry leading Adobe graphic and publishing software, I also developed sales presentations in MS Power point for sales and executive staff to communicate the benefits of our products vs the competitors. This involved creating visual materials to communicate complex information in a way that is clear to non­technical audiences. Conceptually consulting with management, I maintained the creative responsibility of developing public affairs strategies leading projects from creation to production. Along with Print materials such as pamphlets, flyers, posters and PowerPoint presentations, which included some copy writing, I also assisted in developing web materials. Show less

Level Ii Certification, Contract Officer'S Representative

I have kept certification relevant and up-­to-­date for Level II COR which allows me to manage contracts of moderate to high complexity.

Leadership Development Track

Bachelor'S Degree, Graphic Design

Activities and Societies: Football, Track Various hand and computer Illustration, web development, multi-media and photography classes.

Education record

Activities and Societies: Football, Track, Basketball