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1999 Trailblazer Award Recipient Curtis has served in the Federal Service for about 18 years. He currently holds the position of State Director over the FHWA's Office of Motor Carriers and Highway Safety, South Carolina Office. Mr. Thomas was the First African American to hold this position in the nation. Mr. Thomas has held progressive positions in Washington, D.C., and the States of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. |
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As the State Director, Mr. Thomas, in partnership with other modal administrations, state and local agencies, academia and industry, is responsible for administering a comprehensive surface transportation program that ensures the safety and efficiency of South Carolina roads and bridges. He is also directly responsible for the enforcement of federal truck, bus, and hazardous materials safety standards and laws throughout the state.
Mr. Thomas, under a special FHWA IPA assignment, has also held the State appointed position of Deputy Director for the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. There he was the First African American to be appointed to the position of Deputy Director over a State Law Enforcement Division in the State.
Mr. Thomas's formal education includes a Master's Degree in Management (Webster Univ), A Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice (So. Carolina State Univ.), Graduate Classes in Public Administration (Auburn Univ. Montgomery), and a Level-1 Law Enforcement Officer Certification (So. Carolina Criminal Justice Academy).
A few Awards and Honors received by Mr. Thomas over his career includes the distinguished Presidential Citation award from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFIO), The Federal Highway Administrator's Award, and several Outstanding/Exceptional Employee Performance Ratings in FHWA.
Curtis resides in Columbia, S.C. with his wife Lorraine, a native Washingtonian and their two wonderful children, a daughter 7 years of age, and son 20 months old.
