Gwendolyn Elizabeth Thomas
Abingdon,Maryland
Summary
Accomplished U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity representative, adept in safety management and compliance monitoring, significantly enhanced operational standards across multiple sites. Expert in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt methodologies and team supervision, consistently delivering quality assurance and safety assessments. Proven track record in leading high-stakes projects and fostering environmental awareness.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
CSEPP Army Site Representative and Co-Director
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / U.S. ARMY CHEMICAL MATERIAL Activity
Aberdeen Proving Ground South, USA
07.2008 - Current
- U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity (CMA), Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP), Army Site Representative, and Army Exercise Co-Director for the states of Colorado and Kentucky. This is the second time I have been in this position.
- The first time was assigned from 2008 to 2013 and was the Site Representative for Anniston Chemical Activity, Anniston, AL, and Pueblo Chemical Depot, Pueblo, Colorado.
- I participated in the Closeout Phases and various closeout working groups for Pine Bluff Chemical Activity, Pine Bluff, AR, and Tooele Chemical Activity, Tooele, UT.
- I was reassigned to CMA in 2020 to present for Blue Grass Chemical Activity, Richmond, KY, and Pueblo Chemical Depot.
- As the Army Exercise Co-Director, I was responsible for conducting, setting up an evaluation portion, and writing the After Action Report (AAR) for the on-post portion(s) of the Annual CSEPP exercises for the two remaining chemical demilitarization sites.
- Responsible for tracking the findings and validating corrective actions from the AAR.
- Identify the resources required for contract tasking annually, through phases of the exercise, and report writing.
- Coordinate with the installation CSEPP site coordinators, and arrange for Army resource support.
- Determined personnel, equipment, and facility needs for operational requirements.
- Coordinates with the Department of Homeland Security, Headquarters, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) partners, and FEMA Region 8 and IV site Co-Directors.
- I was the final decision-making authority concerning all matters of the exercise planning, along with my FEMA co-director.
- Responsible for briefing the activity and depot leadership on all phases of the exercises.
- Voting member of the Integrated Process Team (IPT) for Colorado and Kentucky.
- Engaged in collaborative forums to enhance communication between Army, FEMA, and management teams.
- Worked collaboratively with FEMA, state, and local partners in exercise, closeout, and scenario development work groups (WGs).
- Served as SME in planning, designing, and executing annual CSEPP exercises.
- Develops schedules, allocates tasks, briefs, debriefs and oversees exercise controllers.
Senior QASAS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / U. S. ARMY PACIFIC (USARPAC)
Fort Shafter, USA
09.2017 - 08.2020
- Oversaw and enhanced the USARPAC Ammunition Surveillance Program.
- Theater level guidance provided on Class V management and ammunition stockpile quality assurance.
- Supplied ammunition logistics and offered technical support.
- Set and maintained program priorities effectively.
- worked with the INDO Pacific Command
- Monitors, plans, and coordinates with other organizations, i.e.
- Executed surveillance programs through Surveillance Program Management Reviews (SPR).
- Conducted thorough reviews to ensure accuracy within the theater ammunition restriction framework.
- Analyzed conditions of ammunition stockpiles to determine needs for reconditioning, renovation, or disposal.
- Analyze inspection reports, ammunition storage reports and storage layouts to determine storage conditions, Necessity for waivers and conformance with safety regulations and directives
- Primary point of contact for the USARPAC G4 Operating Materials and Supplies (OM&S) Army Audit Program
- Review, facilitate, and coordinate audit sampling requests inquired for documentation, site visit coordination, notice of findings, and recommendations (NFRs), and corrective action plans (CAPs).
- Review regulations, policies, publications, and standard operating procedures for updates, changes, and revisions.
- Responsible for coordination, planning, participating, and executing an Ammunition Management Review (AMR) and Surveillance Program Review (SPR) for Indo-Pacific major commands: Hawaii, Japan, Korea, and Alaska.
- Responsible for ensuring the AMR, SPR and SAV written results are properly prepared reviewed disseminate and responses followed up on
- Served as acting Sustainment Division, Munitions Branch Chief in the absence of the branch chief
- USARPAC Theater Career Program 20 Program Manager.
- Assisting the CP20 career manager with QASAS personnel issues, i.e.
- Tour extensions, replacements, and providing updates on program changes, and managing levels of vacancies.
- Participating in G4 personnel hiring panels.
Detailed Inspector General, Technical Inspections Branch
Department of the Army Inspector General
Arlington, USA
07.2013 - 09.2017
- Participated in Chemical (CSI), Biological (BSI), and Nuclear (NSI) Surety Inspections as an inspector for the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP).
- Served on the team as the munitions subject matter expert (SME).
- Facilitated several sensing sessions at Arlington National Cemetery.
- Participated in a special inspection that resulted in the redesign of the Army screening forms for the PRP program.
- Participated in a special inspection and managed a team in Korea of the Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) Child Development Centers.
QASAS PQM for Bombs, Pyrotechnics and Rockets
Joint Munitions Command
Rock Island, USA
06.2003 - 04.2008
- As a PQM, I participated in the preparation and distribution of DA Form 1-2 to MAJ Gen McManus, requesting that the suspension of the 1370-L602 be lifted.
- The suspension lifted, closing over 25 malfunction incident files.
- Compiled and managed files related to TB9-1300-385 Munitions Restricted Suspended and Ammunition Information Notices.
- Directed incorporation process for TB9-1300-385 within the MHP system, ensuring seamless automation.
- Served on the HQ JMC Command Assessment, Inspection, and Supply Depot Operations (SDO) Assessment Teams, as well as several 15-6 Investigations involving shipping and receiving operations, storage, and inventory practices.
- Deployed to Camp Arifijan, Kuwait, in December 2003 while assigned to JMC.
- Planned and coordinated receipt inspections for large ammunition consignments to ensure serviceability.
- Provided guidance for two Wage Grade inspectors and two GS-09 QASAS in the performance of duties at the Arifijan ASP Ammunition Maintenance Facility, Ammunition Surveillance building, and the Theater Support Storage Area.
- Deployed to Camp Victory, Iraq, MNC-I, III Corps Safety Office in 2007.
- I was OPCON to the III Corps Safety Office, where I was able to work with other QASAS in other locations to assist in facilitating the explosive safety licensing of the Forward Operating Bases and Combat Operating Bases.
QASAS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / TOOELE ARMY DEPOT
Tooele, USA
06.2001 - 07.2003
- Supervised the Surveillance Workshop for 5 Wage Grade Inspectors and 5 QASAS Inspectors.
- Managed the day-to-day operations, workload planning, and daily assignments for personnel.
QASAS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / U.S. ARMY CHEMICAL PACIFIC (USACAP)
Johnston Atoll, USA
05.1999 - 06.2001
- Provided oversight of shipping operations to the JACADS from the Red Hat storage area.
- Conducted storage monitoring inspections of the earth-covered magazines.
- Provided oversight of the Chemical Ammunition Company, open and clear of the earth-covered magazines (ECMs).
- Johnston Atoll Chemical Ammunition Demilitarization System (JACADS) provided oversight of the contractor in the day-to-day operations.
- Participated in the nightly verification of daily production at JACADS.
- While working in the Red Hat area, Surveillance provided oversight of the Chemical Ammunition Company shipment of 42,682 rounds of 155MM VX projectiles, and 13,302 VX mines without incident.
QASAS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / 83RD ORDNANCE BATTALION U.S. ARMY JAPAN (USARJ)
Kure, Japan
08.1995 - 08.1996
- Served as Chief of the Administrative Branch.
- Supervised 5 Japanese nationals
- Participated in the USARPAC Pacific Pathways planning conferences and exercises: Balikatan in the Philippines, Orient Shield, and North Star in northern and southern Japan.
QASAS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / SIERRA ARMY DEPOT
Herlong, USA
06.1990 - 06.1995
- I completed my internship.
- I worked on the Shipping Desk.
- Worked in the Ammunition Surveillance Workshop performing Initial Receipt Inspections (IRI) from the manufacturers, Periodic Inspections (PI), and PI for Shipment (PII), and 'K' Line performing Receipt Inspections (RI) and Special Inspections (SI).
- Inspecting ammunition and putting into practice the DAPAM 742-1 Ammunition Surveillance practices, and Explosive Safety best practices.
- Worked on maintenance lines, mostly disassembly and pulling apart for demilitarization.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Sociology
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PLASO (UTEP)
El Paso, TX07.1984
Skills
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- Site inspections
- Safety management
- Compliance monitoring
- Site safety
- Environmental awareness
- Team supervision
- Field inspection
- Facility inspection
- Quality assurance
- Safety assessment
- Personnel oversight
References
References available upon request
Deployments
- Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, ASP Senior QASAS Lead, 6 months
- Camp Victory, Iraq, OPCON to III Corps – Safety Office, Explosive Safety
- Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Senior QASAS Liaison for Iraq/Afghanistan
Military Service
1983, Transportation Corps, 1983 to 2001, Honorable Discharge, MAJ USAR
Accomplishments
- Department of the Army Achievement medal for Civilian Service -May 1999, Oct 2016
- Commander's Award for Civilian Service July 2017
- Meritorious Civilian Service Medal May 2020
- Global War on Terrorism Feb 2011
- QASAS of the Year 2003, 2008
Timeline
Senior QASAS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / U. S. ARMY PACIFIC (USARPAC)
09.2017 - 08.2020
Detailed Inspector General, Technical Inspections Branch
Department of the Army Inspector General
07.2013 - 09.2017
CSEPP Army Site Representative and Co-Director
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / U.S. ARMY CHEMICAL MATERIAL Activity
07.2008 - Current
QASAS PQM for Bombs, Pyrotechnics and Rockets
Joint Munitions Command
06.2003 - 04.2008
QASAS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / TOOELE ARMY DEPOT
06.2001 - 07.2003
QASAS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / U.S. ARMY CHEMICAL PACIFIC (USACAP)
05.1999 - 06.2001
QASAS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / 83RD ORDNANCE BATTALION U.S. ARMY JAPAN (USARJ)
08.1995 - 08.1996
QASAS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY / SIERRA ARMY DEPOT
06.1990 - 06.1995
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Sociology
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PLASO (UTEP)
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