Years of professional experience
Keith A. Thornton, Jr.
Chicago,IL
Summary
Extremely approachable, passionate, and experienced professional with an extensive public and private sector background in public safety, community relations, and media affairs. Highly-skilled and accomplished team leader in emergency management and public safety strategy that includes police, fire, and emergency medical service operations. Driven and very focused achiever with the natural ability to orchestrate overwhelmingly complicated and chaotic situations at moments notice. Creates positive relationships with community residents, partners, colleagues, and stakeholders. Detail-oriented and passionate about continuous education and training to help further his talents as a leader which will enable him to advance his team to the next level.
Overview
15
15
15
15
Years of volunteer experience
Work History
Enterprise Account Executive
Versaterm
09.2023 - Current
- Establish strong relationships with public safety command staffs, driving customer satisfaction and retention.
- Consistently exceeding goals by proactively identifying and pursuing new business opportunities.
- Collaborating with internal teams to develop tailored solutions for complex client needs.
- .Cultivated strong relationships with key journalists, resulting in increased media exposure for the organization.
- Manage a portfolio of high-value accounts, ensuring timely renewals and upselling opportunities.
- Lead and provide mentorship to my Regional Sales Executive and Business Development Representative.
Director of Community Relations
Mayoral Campaign
01.2022 - 04.2023
- Built, leveraged, and cultivated strategic community relationships and executed events in various neighborhoods with collaboration from constituents.
- Worked closely with marketing management to develop and execute community relations activities through strategic project management.
- Oversaw 300-plus employees and volunteers who worked in multiple capacities within the field.
- Cultivated strong relationships with key journalists, resulting in increased media exposure for the organization.
- Created rapid response and grassroots engagement strategies with successful daily and weekly results.
- Attended meetings to make informed business decisions, provide administrative support and evaluate progress toward goals and objectives.
- Supervised 15 employees on leadership staff.
- Created content for press releases, bylined articles, and social media channels to amplify key messages and showcase company accomplishments.
9-1-1 Supervisor
Quadcom 911
08.2022 - 02.2023
- Applied strong leadership talent and problem-solving skills to improve dispatch operations.
- Increased brand visibility by developing and executing strategic media plans across various platforms.
- Handled citizen requests, resolved issues and offered to help update policies to meet changing needs.
- Evaluated employee performances and met with Director to discuss ways to improve weakened areas.
- Looked at ways to maintain more effective and efficient compliance with state laws, company policies, objectives and communication goals.
- Worked to formulate a better recruitment process that would help improve retention and morale.
Police Communications Operator II
Office Of Emergency Management & Communications
04.2018 - 08.2022
- Operated telephone and radio equipment to receive requests and reports from police officers, medical dispatch and firefighting crews.
- Provided instruction to new hires who request as an On-The-Job Trainer.
- Coordinated emergency response in strategic and prioritized order to provide effect police, fire and EMS.
- Worked closely with media to report on special emergency incidents.
- Reduced risks and emergency response issues by observing public safety field units via CAD and mapping tools.
- Consistently assisted supervisory and upper management with high-scaled emergency situations at moments notice without failure.
- Oversaw large-scaled emergency and non-emergency events that included several thousands of attendees while assigned to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
- Spearheaded the OEMC Morale Committee to create newsletter, various morale-boosting events and activities, and employee workshops and CPR trainings.
- Extensive knowledge and practically of 9-1-1 center leadership, technical issues, budgeting, and operations management.
Emergency Medical Technician
American Medical Response
11.2016 - 04.2018
- Dispatched ambulances to emergency scenes as backup dispatcher while assigned to the 911 communications center as a trained and certified Emergency Medical Dispatcher.
- Enhanced productivity by guaranteeing timely emergency response with no service delivery issues.
- Trained EMT students in the field with on the job training.
- Responded to emergency scenes and triaged patients based on life-threatening needs while serving as the Incident Commander who delegated tasks to EMS personnel.
- Worked as a community liaison and taught classes at various schools in the area.
- Maintained levelheadedness and efficiency in high-pressure situations, effectively prioritizing tasks to save lives and provide medical care.
- Administered emergency medication to patients, quickly responding to changes in conditions and medication reactions.
- Trained 13 EMTs in basic life support skills; including, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, oxygen therapy, wound care, patient history elicitation and splinting.
Police Officer II
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
12.2012 - 04.2017
- Actively patrolled high-crime areas to prevent and detect crimes.
- Assisted with special investigations and crime prevention techniques and programs.
- Developed successful mentoring seminars and programs for youth and adults.
- Organized and hosted media campaigns to raise crime-prevention awareness; hosted community meetings.
- Created community service and fundraising projects for at-risk youth; assisted with Cadet and Explorers.
- Assisted as an emergency relief police dispatcher during citywide tactical alerts; mass protests and large-scaled events from 2012 to 2015. Worked with emergency management professionals as assistant.
- Voluntary Member of the Use of Force Review Section
- Helped manage crisis communications effectively to minimize negative impact on company reputation.
Firefighter EMT / Dispatcher - Seasonal Volunteer
Cebu City Fire Department
03.2019 - Current
- Removed individuals from dangerous situations and offered emergency assistance for minor and critical concerns.
- Responded to emergency medical calls to perform lifesaving procedures and other emergency medical services.
- Led team in firefighting operations and while exercising considerable judgment.
- Evaluated patient vital signs and status to determine appropriate triage during large-scaled concerts and events.
- Taught emergency dispatch courses and CPR/First Aid & AED workshops to college students.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Management
Concordia University Chicago (CUC)
River Forest05.2024
Extended Ride-Along Program - Emergency Medical Services
American Medical Response - AMR
Lancaster, California2016
Emergency Medical Technician - Emergency Medical Services
University of Antelope Valley
Lancaster, California2016
California POST Certificate - Peace Officer
Los Angeles Police Academy
Los Angeles, California2013
Community Emergency Response Team - Certified
Chicago Police Department - District 018
Chicago09.2008
Emergency Medical Dispatcher
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL12.2007
Skills
- Strategically Plan & Execute Tasks
- Outstanding Organization and Project Management
- Superior Verbal & Written Communication
- Charismatic & Compelling Public Speaking Leader
- Authentic & Transparent Leadership Style
- Procedure Development
- Root Cause Analysis
- Powerful Community Outreach
- Logistics Management
- Personable and Friendly Personality
- Excellent Problem-Solver
- Superb Team and Staff Leadership
Timeline
Enterprise Account Executive
Versaterm
09.2023 - Current
9-1-1 Supervisor
Quadcom 911
08.2022 - 02.2023
Director of Community Relations
Mayoral Campaign
01.2022 - 04.2023
Firefighter EMT / Dispatcher - Seasonal Volunteer
Cebu City Fire Department
03.2019 - Current
Police Communications Operator II
Office Of Emergency Management & Communications
04.2018 - 08.2022
Emergency Medical Technician
American Medical Response
11.2016 - 04.2018
Police Officer II
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
12.2012 - 04.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Management
Concordia University Chicago (CUC)
Extended Ride-Along Program - Emergency Medical Services
American Medical Response - AMR
Emergency Medical Technician - Emergency Medical Services
University of Antelope Valley
California POST Certificate - Peace Officer
Los Angeles Police Academy
Community Emergency Response Team - Certified
Chicago Police Department - District 018
Emergency Medical Dispatcher
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College
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