Thomas J. Buckholtz, Ph.D., coaches businesses and executives to enhance their proficiency and outcomes. Previously, as a Commissioner in the General Services Administration, Tom led a $1 billion telecommunications and systems integration enterprise and served as co-chief information officer for the U.S. federal Executive Branch and also as GSA's CIO. His team put "improving governmental service to the public" on the national agenda. Earlier in his career, he catalyzed innovation, teamwork, and $100 million in recurring annual benefits throughout a company; established a new business practice in the world software marketplace; led operations for high-tech start-ups; helped pioneer three technologies; developed administrative and engineering information systems, and performed scientific research. He holds a B.S. in mathematics from the California Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley.

RESUME

Roles

• Business and executive coach, speaker, author.
• Executive leading a $1 billion business unit.
• Corporate officer and advisor for start-ups developing software, hardware, and services.
• Chief information officer for a $10 billion enterprise.
• Project leader changing culture and implementing technology throughout a $6 billion corporation.

Fields

• Business - business strategy, planning, and development; product and services creation, development, and marketing; work focus; and changing organizational culture.
• Business services - information, Internet, computing, telecommunications, and systems integration.
• Public policy - government services and operations, technology, competitiveness, and procurement.
• Research and development - information technologies, physical sciences, and engineering.

Accomplishments

• Catalyzed initiatives that:
  • Placed on the U.S. national agenda the topic of improving governmental service to the public.
  • Preserved four miles of scenic seashore in Palos Verdes Estates (Los Angeles County, California).
  • Launched a new type of international partnering and service between Rotary clubs.
• Met profitability goals while leading a $1 billion business unit.
• Catalyzed $100 million in recurring annual automation-based benefits for a $6 billion company.
• Significantly increased the revenue of a 2-person firm for each of 2 consecutive years.
• Enhanced work processes, inter-organizational teamwork, and procurement processes.
• Pioneered a new software licensing technique; negotiated licenses that saved a company $10 million.
• Helped pioneer several technologies, including downward-looking radar, multi-participant computer simulations, automated document libraries, and hand-held computers.
• Completed technology development and product delivery for two 20-person start-ups.
• Authored Information Proficiency: Your Key to the Information Age - providing readers the essence of Information Age for business and government, practical advice, and inspirational success stories.

Clients and Employers

• Large and small enterprises in aerospace, agricultural research, business services, computing, defense, education, energy utilities, government, healthcare, high technology, insurance, Internet, politics, research and development, and telecommunications.

EDUCATION

Business administration programs -

University of Michigan (Public Utility Executive Program, 1986) and Stanford University (1984)

Ph.D., Physics - University of California, Berkeley (1971)

National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow

B.S., Mathematics - California Institute of Technology (1967)

Honors at entrance and upon graduation, Tau Beta Pi, varsity tennis team captain

CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS

Ideation -- Originated the concepts for the Palos Verdes Estates (California) Shoreline Preserve and Rotary International's Donations-in-Kind Information Network.

Current Boards and Affiliations -

• Committee for Economic Development (Board of Trustees)
• Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (Wilson Council; the Wilson Center is a part of the Smithsonian Institution)
• Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley (Board of Advisors)
• School of Business and Management, University of San Francisco (Advisory Board, Telecommunications Management and Policy Program)
• California Trade Education Center (Board of Advisors; this organization is associated with the California Council for International Trade)
• Silicon Valley World Internet Center (Visiting Fellow)

Prior Boards -

• Board of Directors, TechNet
• Chair, Web Technology Advisory Board, Republican National Committee
• California Information Technology Commission, State of California.
• Board of Directors, Watergate East, Inc. (a Washington, D.C. residential cooperative)
• Computer Systems Technical Advisory Committee, U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Export Administration
• Corporate Relations Committee, World Affairs Council of Northern California

SPEECHES AND PUBLICATIONS

Keynote speeches for 9th International Forum on Technology Management, 11th IEEE-USA Biennial Careers Conference, and an Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association convention. Presentations for Business Marketing Association, Commonwealth Club of California, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, and Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives).

Endorsements of Information Proficiency: Your Key to the Information Age --

• "Information Proficiency has the potential to launch the next management revolution."
• "With the publication of Tom Buckholtz's book, we have moved into a New Information Age."

More than 100 publications and published interviews. Author of material published in BusinessWeek, CIO, Computerworld, Government Technology, InformationWeek, Journal of Systems Management, and scientific journals. Pictured in Computerworld, InfoWorld, and San Jose Mercury News. Co-host for Issues Today, a Silicon Valley television program. Profiled in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World.