Paul Thomas
Human Resources Executive
Lafayette,AL
Summary
Strategic human resources executive with over 30 years of progressive leadership experience transforming HR functions into business-critical partners that drive organizational success. Nationally recognized AI thought leader pioneering ethical workforce technology integration and future-ready talent strategies. Proven capacity to serve as trusted advisor to executive leadership while building high-performing teams, championing organizational culture, and ensuring compliance excellence. Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide change management, learning and development initiatives, and strategic planning across higher education, corporate, and government sectors.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Human Resources Officer
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
01.2021 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership support across all administrative divisions while serving as Chief Human Resources Officer and University Council member.
- Lead transformative initiatives in AI integration, workforce planning, and organizational development.
- HR function transformed from transactional operations to strategic business partner supporting university's pursuit of premier status.
- Repositioned HR as proactive organizational consultant on all people-related matters, shifting from reactive service delivery to strategic workforce planning.
- Talent management now integrates recruitment, development, retention, and succession planning with institutional objectives.
- Serve as trusted advisor to President and senior leadership on complex organizational challenges requiring strategic HR expertise.
- National recognition established as AI thought leader in human resources through development of proprietary Future-Ready Workforce framework emphasizing scenario planning, predictive analytics, and organizational agility.
- AI-powered solutions created for workforce planning, compliance monitoring, and operational efficiency across administrative units.
- Ethical AI implementation frameworks and governance policies developed for higher education contexts.
- Pioneer workforce technology integration bridging cutting-edge innovation with human-centered practices.
- Comprehensive Customer Experience Program created and deployed, transforming organizational culture across nine administrative units serving entire university community.
- Eight core customer experience principles established with corresponding behavioral standards, comprehensive training curriculum, staff development programs, and supervisory coaching systems.
- Systematic stakeholder engagement and evidence-based principle development led, affecting service delivery standards for thousands of employees and students.
- Change management strategies implemented supporting organizational transformation and strategic initiatives.
- Human Resources operations under direct supervision; indirect leadership of Auxiliary Services, Procurement, Facilities Management, Operational Review, and Risk Management.
- Executive coaching and strategic consultation provided to senior leadership team on organizational effectiveness and talent strategy.
- Process improvement and change management initiatives championed across administrative units.
- Integrated approaches developed for compliance, risk management, and operational efficiency.
- HR team professional capacity grew 100% through strategic hiring and targeted development.
- Compliance failures dropped 80%. The improvement reflects proactive systems and AI-powered monitoring.
- External employee complaints now average fewer than one annually.
- Organizational capacity built enabling HR function to serve as strategic partner rather than transactional service provider.
Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
05.2025 - 08.2025
- Provided executive leadership for comprehensive administrative operations spanning Finance, Budget, Procurement, Human Resources, Facilities Management, Information Technology, Auxiliary Services, Legal Affairs, and related units.
- Reported directly to University President and served on senior executive leadership team.
- Strategic oversight of university-wide financial operations, budget development, and resource allocation for Louisiana's second-largest public university.
- Launched comprehensive financial planning initiatives supporting institutional strategic plan and growth objectives.
- Championed digital transformation and AI integration across administrative operations while ensuring fiscal responsibility and regulatory compliance.
- Built collaborative culture emphasizing transparency and accountability across nine administrative divisions.
Chief Human Resources Officer
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
06.2015 - 01.2021
- Led all aspects of human resources management for Louisiana's second-largest university.
- Served as Equity Officer and Title IX Officer ensuring institutional compliance with federal regulations and state requirements.
- Transaction-focused HR function transformed into highly respected strategic business partner through proactive engagement with university community on people-related matters.
- Proposals developed to re-envision organizational philosophy and structure, initiating conversations on aligning compensation practices with strategic plan.
- Operational capacity built through talent development and strategic staffing additions.
- Professional competence of HR staff increased through targeted professional development, conference participation, and professional certification preparation enhancing business acumen, results orientation, and partnership building.
- HR team restructured to focus on service excellence, productivity, and partnership with operating units.
Executive Director and Chief Human Resources and Affirmative Action Officer
Southwest Tennessee Community College
12.2004 - 05.2015
- Reported directly to President serving as active contributor to all strategic initiatives.
- Transformed transaction-focused HR function into highly respected strategic business partner.
- Served as executive sponsor and project leader for enterprise resource planning and Banner implementation.
- Served as Equity Officer and official for Title VI and Title IX compliance.
- Collaborative process created to develop institutional business model and drive cultural change supporting organizational strategy.
- Organizational and departmental climate assessments conducted, leading executives to develop value-added, pragmatic people solutions tailored to specific challenges.
- Emotional intelligence-based leadership development program developed and implemented; leadership training facilitated and executive coaching conducted.
- Cutting-edge market-based compensation system designed and implemented to drive business objectives, organizational change, and desired behaviors.
- Internal and external customer satisfaction enhanced through delivery of emotional intelligence-based customer service training.
- Executive sponsor and project leader for college-wide ERP and Banner implementation affecting thousands of users across multiple locations.
- Change management strategies led supporting technology transformation and user adoption.
- Comprehensive training programs developed for system implementation across organizational levels.
- Human resources department created playing active role in building culture of accountability and high-performance teams.
- Professional competence of HR staff increased through professional development, conference participation, and certification preparation.
- Wellness initiatives, preventive care programs, and work-life balance strategies implemented.
- Tennessee Board of Regents Access and Diversity grant awarded for Project D.A.R.E., mentoring program jointly developed with University of Memphis aimed at developing women and minority employees aspiring to higher education leadership roles.
- HR team restructured to focus on service excellence, productivity, and partnership with operating units.
- Annual town hall meetings conducted communicating institutional strategies for process improvement and culture change.
- Overall integrity of HR function increased through development of highly competent, high-performing, and responsive HR team.
- Strong client relationships established through matrix HR support structure with HR Advisors assigned to specific units, actively participating in staff meetings, task forces, and standing committees.
Director, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
Southwest Tennessee Community College
07.2000 - 11.2004
- Advised college leadership on all matters relating to employee relations, including communications, complaints and grievances, discrimination, conflict resolution, and management practices.
- Administered all anti-discrimination programs: affirmative action, ADA, Title VI and Title VII compliance.
- Served on President's executive staff contributing to institutional goals and policy development.
Senior Human Resources Representative
Federal Express Corporation
09.1997 - 02.2004
- Employee relations and communications support provided to 1,600 employees and managers in Memphis World Hub night operation.
- Disputes resolved: EEO and Guaranteed Fair Treatment Process complaints, benefits and compensation issues, and policy interpretation.
- EEO complaints successfully reduced by 20%.
- Received Keeper of the Flame Award and Five Star Award nomination.
Director, Human Resources/CHRO/Affirmative Action
State Technical Institute at Memphis
07.1993 - 06.2000
- Comprehensive human resource systems implemented: performance management, salary administration, employee relations, and benefits education programs.
- All anti-discrimination programs administered.
- External employment practice complaints reduced to fewer than one annually through effective employee relations strategies.
- Policies developed governing institutional HR philosophies and practices.
Personnel Specialist
First Tennessee National Bank
07.1992 - 07.1993
- Employment function managed for 998-employee Corporate Services Group: job evaluation, selection system development, recruitment, and employee relations.
- Job-specific selection systems developed and statistical models for optimal part-time employee utilization.
- Strategies created for recruiting and utilizing disabled and older workers.
Employee Development Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
01.1990 - 07.1990
- Management Training Program managed for 4,500-employee Memphis Service Center.
- Five-week entry-level supervisory management course conducted for 75 new managers and advanced training provided for 350 line, mid-level, and executive managers.
- Technical training coordinated for over 2,000 non-exempt employees.
Personnel Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
05.1987 - 12.1989
- Nashville District Resources Management Automation Program managed.
- Various automated systems designed and implemented.
- Beta Test manager and Systems Administrator for nationally implemented integrated personnel action and information system.
- Recruitment and training tracking system designed and implemented throughout Southeast Region.
Education
Legal Studies -
Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, University of Memphis
Memphis, TN01.2001
BBA - Accounting
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN08-1987
Skills
- HR transformation strategy
- Emotional intelligence
- Process optimization
- Coaching and mentoring
- Relationship management
- Public speaking
- Negotiation skills
- Workforce technology innovation
- Executive advisory partnership
- Talent management strategies
- Learning and development initiatives
- Change management practices
- Organizational culture enhancement
- Compensation strategy
- Risk management compliance
- Data-driven decision making
- Strategic leadership
Certification
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), HR Certification Institute
- Tennessee Rule 36 Civil Mediator
- Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence (SEI) 1:1 Certification, Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Network
- Vital Signs (VS) Certification, Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Network
Board Service And Professional Affiliations
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Economic Development District, Commissioner and Treasurer, Ragin Cajun Facilities Inc., Board Member, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Foundation, Personnel and Governance Committee Member, Past President and Board Member, Tennessee CUPA-HR, Past Member, Learning and Professional Development Committee, National CUPA-HR
Publications And Thought Leadership
- Future-Ready Workforce: A Strategic Framework for Long-Term People Strategy, White Paper, Comprehensive strategic framework developed emphasizing five pillars: Workforce Intelligence, Integrated Talent Strategy, Technology Enablement, Cultural Resilience, and Governance & Compliance. Framework incorporates scenario planning, predictive analytics, and systems thinking to build organizational agility and move from reactive to proactive workforce management.
- AI Integration in Human Resources, National Speaker and Thought Leader, National recognition for pioneering ethical AI implementation in workforce planning, compliance monitoring, and talent management. Frameworks developed for responsible automation and human-centered technology integration in higher education contexts.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
05.2025 - 08.2025
Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Human Resources Officer
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
01.2021 - Current
Chief Human Resources Officer
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
06.2015 - 01.2021
Executive Director and Chief Human Resources and Affirmative Action Officer
Southwest Tennessee Community College
12.2004 - 05.2015
Director, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
Southwest Tennessee Community College
07.2000 - 11.2004
Senior Human Resources Representative
Federal Express Corporation
09.1997 - 02.2004
Director, Human Resources/CHRO/Affirmative Action
State Technical Institute at Memphis
07.1993 - 06.2000
Personnel Specialist
First Tennessee National Bank
07.1992 - 07.1993
Employee Development Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
01.1990 - 07.1990
Personnel Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
05.1987 - 12.1989
Legal Studies -
Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, University of Memphis
BBA - Accounting
Tennessee State University