Jared Thomas
Crystal Lake,IL
Summary
Digital communications and advocacy professional with experience in social media strategy, content creation, and coalition building. Experienced in executive reporting, data-driven decision-making, and digital advocacy, with a track record of improving outreach. Thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments, leveraging technical and analytical skills to deliver tangible results.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Political Sales Development Representative
Gemstone Consulting and Advocacy
01.2024 - Current
- Designed and launched the agency's client-facing website, showcasing multiple service packages and funneling qualified leads, doubling lead generation compared to pre-digital processes.
- Conducted direct outreach to 25+ local government candidates per month across the American South, scheduling policy meetings and demos to expand client engagement and coalition reach in a high-octane startup environment.
- Performed holistic policy reviews for 12+ statewide races, producing actionable reports that guided campaign strategy and platform decisions, with clients confirming impact on policy positioning.
- Collaborated with internal teams to integrate digital strategy, content creation, and advocacy insights, aligning client services with broader campaign objectives.
Public Information Officer
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2021 - 12.2023
- Orchestrated Facebook and Twitter communications as the primary point of contact for 12,000+ veterans statewide, quadrupling digital engagement, driving higher participation in statewide events, and nearly doubling the number of events held annually. Produced weekly executive metric reports, informing strategic decisions on outreach and program priorities.
- Spearheaded development of remarks, talking points, and speeches for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Commissioner for high-profile events including the Vietnam War Memorial ceremony and the State's first-ever Women Veterans Conference, advancing public awareness and advocacy for veterans' services.
- Solely coded, launched, and maintained the state's modernized public-facing website in C+, improving navigation and accessibility for 12,000+ users; developed SOPs for content lifecycle management, ensuring consistent updates and measurable UX improvements.
- Optimized the VA's 12,000+ claimant database, reducing processing time by nearly 50% and accelerating service delivery for service-disabled members.
- Collaborated with program managers, outreach coordinators, and veteran service organizations to align digital content and messaging with statewide objectives.
Research Assistant
University of Louisville
01.2020 - 12.2020
- Designed a research framework for a 1,000+ participant political science study, ensuring methodological rigor.
- Collected, analyzed, and consolidated demographic and attitudinal data, producing insights that informed publication-ready research.
- Reviewed and edited manuscripts to meet standards for publication in the American Journal of Social Sciences.
Communications Intern
Kentucky Executive Cabinet
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Developed a social-media-driven communication strategy and updated public-facing brand guidelines, increasing engagement and visibility across digital channels.
- Utilized multivariate statistical modeling in R to evaluate content performance across audience segments, informing data-driven content decisions.
- Produced analytical reports comparing engagement outcomes across formats, optimizing content delivery and messaging for maximum reach.
Legislative Intern
Kentucky House of Representatives
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Managed social media operations for multiple state representatives, expanding constituent engagement and digital visibility.
- Designed an internal initiative delivering legislative updates and policy briefs to 20+ elected officials, improving information flow and policy coordination.
Social Welfare & Advocacy Intern
Louisville Metropolitan Council
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Developed a data-driven framework for the "Better Way" homelessness prevention program, informing implementation strategy.
- Conducted statistical and logistical analysis using R to assess feasibility and program scale, guiding policy and program decisions.
- Provided administrative and communications support to ensure successful program rollout.
Government Relations & Logistics Intern
Toyota Tsusho America
01.2017 - 12.2017
- Built an Excel-based taxation model calculating international shipping rates for 20+ countries, improving cost forecasting and accuracy.
- Supported movement of $20M+ in annual inventory, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Assisted corporate advocacy planning and compliance reviews, contributing to broader corporate strategy.
Education
Master of Arts - International Relations
King's College London
London, England01-2021
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY01-2020
Skills
- Microsoft Excel (Advanced Modeling)R-Studio (Multivariate Statistical Analysis)Adobe IllustratorAdobe Photoshop Canva
Honors And Recognition
- Fulbright Scholar
- Presidential Volunteer Service Medal
- Commonwealth Ambassador
- Kentucky Colonel
- Commendation from Louisville Metropolitan City Council
- University of Louisville Honors Scholar
Publications
- Southern Accents and Partisan Stereotypes: Evaluating Political Candidates, Social Science Quarterly
- The Rise of Russia's Anti-Democratic Political Culture, King's College London
- The History of Modern American Secessionist Movements, University of Louisville
Timeline
Political Sales Development Representative
Gemstone Consulting and Advocacy
01.2024 - Current
Public Information Officer
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
01.2021 - 12.2023
Research Assistant
University of Louisville
01.2020 - 12.2020
Communications Intern
Kentucky Executive Cabinet
01.2019 - 12.2019
Legislative Intern
Kentucky House of Representatives
01.2018 - 12.2018
Social Welfare & Advocacy Intern
Louisville Metropolitan Council
01.2018 - 12.2018
Government Relations & Logistics Intern
Toyota Tsusho America
01.2017 - 12.2017
Master of Arts - International Relations
King's College London
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Louisville