St. Louis County government chief diversity officer recognized for leadership

Jack Thomas earns President’s Award from Aiport Minority Advisory Council

CLAYTON, Mo. – Jack Thomas, Jr., who joined St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger’s administration as Chief Diversity Officer in July, has been recognized by a leading national organization for his work in promoting the inclusion of minorities and women in contracting opportunities and professional development throughout the aviation and aerospace industries. The award recognizes Thomas’ work at his previous employer, the Jackson, MS Municipal Airport Authority.

“This award reflects the outstanding professional that Jack is and the high esteem in which he is held by his colleagues,” County Executive Stenger said. “Jack is the caliber of individual we sought to help lead our efforts to develop a culture of inclusiveness within St. Louis County government with the goal of having an equitable County procurement system that is open to everyone and ensures the use of a diverse group of contractors.”

The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to promoting the full participation of minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises (M/W/DBEs) in aviation industry contracting. The President’s Award, which Thomas received, recognizes a member for demonstrating leadership, service and dedication to execute AMAC’s mission and strategic plan during the fiscal year.

The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) is the only national, non-profit trade association dedicated to promoting the full participation of minority-owned, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises (M/W/DBEs) in aviation industry contracting. The President’s Award, which Thomas received, recognizes a member for demonstrating leadership, service and dedication to execute AMAC’s mission and strategic plan during the fiscal year.

Thomas was at Jackson Municipal Airport Authority for 10 years. But he spent most of his life in the St. Louis area. From 1999-2008 he was the City of St. Louis-Lambert St. Louis International Airport Assistant Airport Director for Community Programs and DBE Program Manager. In those roles, he oversaw the airport’s workforce diversity and business inclusion programs, including minority business certification, a process he shortened from one year to 60-90 days.

During his tenure at Lambert, Thomas also expanded the pool of qualified bidders for airport contracts by 25 percent through aggressive outreach and education.

Before his work at the airport, Thomas held a number of positions of increasing authority with the City of St. Louis Community Development Agency /St. Louis Development Corporation. He started his career as a Community Development Specialist in St. Louis County government.

County Executive Stenger ordered the first-ever St. Louis County disparity study immediately after taking office in 2015. The study analyzed County contracting data covering 2012-2015 to help establish a baseline from which to build a fair and equitable participation program for minority-, women- and veteran-owned business enterprises. It includes a number of recommendations that are being implemented under Thomas’s guidance. Earlier this year Stenger signed legislation establishing specific minority participation goals for all St. Louis County government contracts.

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