Kerry Thomas

Background

About Kerry Thomas

Mr. Thomas brings more than 25 years of experience in the public and private sector designing, implementing, and managing complex and effective homeland security grant, training, exercise, and technical assistance programs. As the Director of the Preparedness Grants Division (PGD) within the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate (GPD), he is responsible for oversight of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) suite of Preparedness Grants. This portfolio includes the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) programs, Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) program, Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP), Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) program, Intercity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP), and Port Security Grant program (PSGP). As the former Director of National Preparedness Programs within the DHS Office of Grants and Training (G&T), he was responsible for oversight and management of the Department’s multi-modal transportation security grant and technical assistance programs during their initial development and implementation. Prior to assuming that role, Mr. Thomas managed a variety of critical training, technical assistance and information technology programs, as well as state and urban area homeland security grants throughout the eastern third of the United States. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. Thomas has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas Christian University and a master’s degree in public management from the University of Maryland at College Park.