Thomas D. Cairns
- Washington DC
- (818) 257-0325
- tom@cairnsblaner.com
Senior Human Resource Executive with demonstrated success leading human resource organizations supporting senior business executives in a high-performance culture. Acknowledged for creating and staffing complex organizations that consistently deliver business results. Successful leader with solid business acumen. Extensive P&L experience. Established track record with emphasis on strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, talent management, succession planning, compensation planning and reward systems, union avoidance and labor relations.
Thomas D. Cairns was appointed by President Bush as the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in May 2008. In this capacity, Mr. Cairns directs all aspects of human resources management at DHS to ensure that the Department hires, retains and develops the leaders and workforce needed to achieve its critical mission. He oversees DHS’ human capital policy, strategic planning, learning and development, recruitment, performance management, workforce engagement, compensation, benefits, labor relations and employee relations.Prior to joining DHS, Mr. Cairns served as a Principal with the Cairns Blaner Group, LLC, where he provided expert consulting services to help companies develop and deliver people strategies, systems and solutions.
As the Senior Vice President for Human Resources at NBC Universal, Mr. Cairns was responsible for all human resource and labor relations practices, policies and programs for NBC Universal’s employees in Information Management, Technology, Television and Studio Operations. He led a 22-member HR, Labor Relations and Medical Center department serving 4,000 domestic and international employees. Among many other accomplishments, he successfully supported a reorganization that combined information technology and studio operations with a budget of $900M and a total staff of 4,000 union and non-union employees.
Prior to joining NBC Universal, Mr. Cairns was the Senior Vice President for Human Resources for NBC Entertainment, where he oversaw all human resource and labor relations practices, policies and programs for NBC’s Entertainment Division, NBC Studios, NBC Agency and Domestic Syndication Sales. During his tenure, he championed NBC’s diversity initiatives and implemented metrics, programs and practices that significantly improved the diversity of NBC’s workforce.
Mr. Cairns also served as the Vice President of Employee Relations for the NBC Television Station Division, where he developed and implemented all human resource practices, policies and programs for NBC’s thirteen owned and operated television stations nationwide. Over a four year period, he increased internal promotions of key talent from 30 percent to 80 percent through the successful implementation of organizational effectiveness, development and succession planning programs. Mr. Cairns also held the position of Director of Employee Relations for several NBC television stations in several major media markets, including stations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Miami, Florida.
Mr. Cairns received both a doctorate in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Nova Southeastern University, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations from Rider University. He served honorably in the United States Air Force and is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, the American Society of Training and Development and is on the Editorial Advisory Board for Employment Relations Today.
2007 Cairns, Thomas D. "Changing the Way B-Schools Do Business through Online Education Programs", 2007 Christian Business Faculty 23rd Annual Conference Proceedings, Seattle Pacific University
2004 Cairns, Thomas D. "Leadership Methods and Techniques for Improving Productivity and Quality" Presented at the 10th International Society for Productivity and Quality Research Conference, University of Miami
2001 Cairns, Thomas D. & Preziosi, R. "Creating a High Performance Team in a Human Resource Department" Presented at the 2001 Annual National Conference, The Association on Employment Practices and Principles, San Francisco, CA.
2000 Cairns, Thomas D. & Preziosi, R. "Leadership: How an International Media Company Assures Success" Presented at the Proceeding of the 2000 Annual National Conference, The Association on Employment Practices and Principles, New Orleans, LA.
1993 Cairns, Thomas D "Employee Empowerment and Its Impact on Technical, Social, and Financial Aspects of Business" Presented at the Fourth International Conference on Productivity and Quality Research, University of Miami
"Tom is a top-notch executive who works very well with people and with numbers. He has complete grasp of all the sub fields within HR, especially those that involve growing and developing people. The bottom line is that he knows what the company thinks is important and he helps make the company successful through his skills at implementation of policies/procedures and his ability to innovate." - July 28, 2007
Robert Preziosi, Professor, Nova Southeastern Universitywas a consultant or contractor to Thomas D. at NBC Universal
"Tom Cairns was one of the most efficient, effective, and likable people I have ever had the good fortune to meet at the workplace. Not only did he have a tremendous reputation within the NBC, but upon meeting him it becomes apparent the reputation was well-earned. As a human resources professional, he was an invaluable asset to the network, as he managed to make myself and my co-workers feel that he was personally invested not only in our success at the company, but in our satisfaction as employees. I heartily recommend Tom to any potential employer, as I believe any workplace would be enriched by his presence. Paige Adamczyk, esq." - April 7, 2008Paige Adamczyk, Programming, NBCworked with Thomas D. at NBC Entertainment
"Tom is a great person with terrific people skills. He is able to motivate and provide energy, guidance and most of all, focus to critical activities. As our divisional HR leader, Tom always made himself available to talk and work through challenging personal, as well as business issues." - January 8, 2008
Richard W. Westcott, Manager News Operations, NBC - WRCworked directly with Thomas D. at NBC Television Station Division