Carroll Thomas

About Carroll Thomas

I have built a substantial career working in the public and private sector accelerating business opportunities focused on small- and medium-sized manufacturers. I am a recognized expert in small business and manufacturing, and have personally negotiated deals in private industry with almost U.S. small, medium, and large manufacturers in all 50 states. Over my career with the US Department of Commerce, I\'ve had oversight and given guidance to 51 fiduciary boards responsible for over $700 million in federal taxpayer funding over five years without the loss or misuse of any funds. I successfully transformed 1,400 manufacturing experts across the country into a national network enabling them to quickly find and match over 2,858 needed suppliers to produce personal protection equipment needed during the pandemic. I am looking to serve on a corporate board.I was elected by the members of the State Department Federal Credit Union to serve on its board as Vice Chair and chair the Asset and Liability Committee. I have also served on the Federal Laboratory Consortium and the For Climate Tech Advisory Boards. Additional appointments include current service on fiduciary non-profit boards of the Manufacturing USA institute MxD (digital manufacturing) and the global think tank Information Technology Innovation Foundation. I have also served as the Chair of the Semiconductor Manufacturing Advanced Research and digital Twins (SMART) USA institute board. I\'m now seeking a mid-cap corporate Board opportunity where I can accelerate its strategic success in growth and technology adoption. Some of the achievements of which I\'m most proud are as follows:• I led the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Office of Advanced Manufacturing, Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, and Technology Partnerships Office during the pandemic to coordinate the rapid connection of supply chains to produce needed Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).• I\'ve been sought out to deliver over 49 national keynote, interview, and panel presentations over last 8 years.• I gained unique expertise in Small Business Development from owning a small business, leading SBA’s largest non-loan program, plus interviewing inventors in all 50 states while at QVC, creating 13 successful millionaire business owners.• I serve as Vice Chair on the board of the State Department Federal Credit Union where I have overseen an increase in assets by more than one billion dollars (to $2.9 billion).

Experience

1. Board Member

   MxD

   Mar 2021 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   In joining MxD’s board I will continue to build upon the institute’s strong track record of working collaboratively with the MEP National Network to understand the specific needs of small and medium-sized manufacturers and help to disseminate resources to manufacturers embarking on their digital journey and seeking to improve their cyber posture.

Education

• The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School

  MBA, International Business

  2000 — 2003

• Professional & Executive Development - Harvard Division of Continuing Education

  Business

• Drexel University

  BS, Design

  1974 — 1978

• Accademia di Costuma e Di Moda

  Fashion and Graphic Design

• Drexel University

  Bacehlor of Science, Design