Dwane Thomas

Title
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department
Department of Management
College
College of Business

​Dr. Thomas is an adjunct faculty member in the Worldwide College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, teaching aviation labor relations, organizational leadership and workforce strategy in online and globally distributed programs.

Dr. Thomas holds a PhD in Business Administration with a specialization in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Troy University. He has completed executive education at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and MIT Sloan School of Management and Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL). He maintains SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications and retired after 22 years of service in the U.S. Navy.

Dr. Thomas’s applied scholarship and professional research focus on workforce strategy, labor relations and enterprise transformation within highly regulated and safety-critical environments, including aviation, defense and government services. His work emphasizes translating theory into practice for working professionals navigating complex regulatory, labor and operational challenges.

A significant area of emphasis in his work is the adoption of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and automation to modernize workforce systems, leadership decision-making and employee experience. He has led and advised large-scale initiatives involving AI-enabled talent systems, robotic process automation, workforce analytics and digital service delivery, with particular attention to ethical use, data governance and organizational risk. His work bridges policy, technology and leadership by translating emerging capabilities into scalable operating models aligned with labor frameworks, regulatory requirements and organizational culture.

Dr. Thomas has also contributed extensively to leadership development, strategic human capital planning and academic program design. As Program Director for the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Graduate School for Professional Development, he led the stand-up of a graduate institution, including faculty hiring, curriculum development and accreditation-aligned program design. Across his academic and professional roles, his work prioritizes applied relevance, instructional clarity and measurable organizational outcomes for adult and mid-career learners.

Dr. Thomas has served as a senior human capital strategist within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and continues to advise organizations on workforce modernization, leadership development, and AI-enabled transformation. Outside academia, he enjoys travel, land stewardship and mentoring emerging leaders across public and private sectors.

  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration: Organizational Leadership, Northcentral University
  • M.S. - Master of Science in Human Resource Management, Troy University
  • SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) - Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
  • OBLD 402: Ethics, Values, & Differences