Bio of Dr. (LtCol) Michael L. Thomas

Dr. (LtCol) Michael L. Thomas is currently assigned to Naval Space and Warfare Center (SPAWAR) Charleston as a C4ISR Systems Engineer in the Communications and Networks Division. In this capacity he is responsible for the design, implementation and fielding of major network projects initiated by the Navy, sister services and other US government customers. His prior assignment with SPAWAR was in the Heidelberg Office supporting HQ USAREUR in Geospatial Engineering. He has been on detached special duty since being activated in March 2007, and has served a short tour at the Pentagon, served as a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) LNO to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), along with an assignment to the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) as an instructor teaching Cyberwar courses. He is also currently serving as a faculty member for Penn State University teaching GeoInt courses in the graduate school.

Immediately prior to his current assignment, he was the Chief J-3 Technical Projects, assigned to the Georgia Institute of Technology as a Special Projects Officer (Project Manager/Applications Architect).  He managed the development of multiple projects both hardware and software related  and specialized in systems integration of GIS, RDBMS and embedded real time systems to increase field personnel-aircrew coordination using Rapid Application Development (RAD) development techniques.  Notably among the projects included management and requirements analysis of the Digital Mapping Server (DMS) GIS Portal in coordination with the Naval Research Lab, and the day to day management of the Digital Mapping Center (DMC) which provided GIS support for and between various Federal, DoD, State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies.  The technology was cited in several papers and actually is patented by the US Navy (http://dmap.nrlssc.navy.mil/dmap/).  In this assignment, Dr. Thomas also chaired the NGB Technology Consortium that included partners from Industry, Government and Academia.  

Born in Pensacola, Florida, in June, 1956, LtCol Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of the State of New York, a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics from the University of West Florida, a Masters of Science in Military Arts and Sciences from the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Air War College and lastly  finished a Doctorate in Information Systems while stationed at Georgia Tech.  His military education includes completion of the Army Signal Officers Basic Course at Ft. Gordon, Ga, the Basic Communications Officers Course at Keesler AFB, MS, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College (AWC) at Maxwell AFB where he won the 2008 8th AF Award in Cyberspace Research.  

   michael.thomas.1@us.af.mil

   mthomas304@att.net

LtCol Thomas’ awards and decorations include the NORAD System Support Facility (NSSF) Company Grade Officer of the Year (CGO) of the Year,  First Air Force CGO of the Year, First Air Force Nominee for the Edwin W. Rawlings Award for his work in Information Operations (IO), the Air National Guard (ANG) Communications and Computer Professionalism Award, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM), Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Air Force Commendation (AFCOM) Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force (AF) Outstanding Unit Award (with oak leaf cluster), AF Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, AF Organizational Excellence Award with Valor device, the Global War on Terrorism Medal (GWOT), and the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He has also been awarded the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and while supervising the NGB CDX Technology Team, and was recognized for outstanding combat support to Task Force Legion, Combined Joint Special Task Force, Arabian Peninsula, Iraq. At Air War College he was awarded the 8AF Cyber Award for outstanding research in the field of Cyberspace and Cyberspace policy.

    Penn State Projects

    Resume

Personal Note - My personal goals include further research into GIS data modelling and simulation which should be greatly enhanced by the coursework and guidance that comes from the program here at Penn State.  Resolution of conflation issues and incorporation of GIS referenced Hyperspectral and Multispectral Imagery is an interest I wish to pursue as well.  In reviewing the program and requirements for the degree, I am certain that what Penn State offers will assist me in meeting those learning and research goals.  PS - Please call me "Mike."