I worked with Bill Thomas as my direct report supervisor for over 3 years. He provided excellent leadership, supportive management style, along with guidance and direction.
Mr. Thomas is very goal and objective driven and helps his team to meet the company’s visions and profitability. He has always maintains a professional relationship, but also helps his employees to succeed, balancing work and home life.
As an Occupational Health Nurse he supported my team that developed a case management program, return to work programs, light duty program and disability return to work.Bill expanded Employee Health in 5 regional manufacturing sites. We also met with the Workers Comp Insurance carrier, saving the corporation over 10 million dollars.
Elaine M. Russo R.N.
Direct Report at Bausch & Lomb
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have known Bill Thomas for many years. He was my manager at Bausch & Lomb. Bill was the Vice President of Human Resources and I was the manager of the Medical Department. I found Bill to be an excellent manager. He was fair and taught me the importance of consistency in dealing with my employees. He expected the best of his staff and got it. He believed in his people and expected them to be the experts in their fields. However he was always available to help and guide when the occasion called for it. .He was also there if he was needed to “to fight corporate battles “ when decisions needed to be made at a higher level of authority. Bill was also a mentor. He encouraged his staff to progress by extending themselves beyond their comfort zone, taking the appropriate in -service courses, and participating in conferences.As a manager he also understood responsibilities to family. He was a willing listener and when necessary would allow extra time off for family issues. He was a very supportive person in work situations and in personal ones. Barbara Senise
Direct Report at Bausch & Lomb
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I worked for Bill Thomas at KLAS-TV Channel 8, for 3 years as his assistant. Bill served as the Human Resource Director for approximately 170 people. Bill was always the "calm" in our daily storm. He was able to enforce company policies and procedures, but did so in a way that still made him a "go-to" person for all employees. He is well-educated in the ever-changing landscape of HR law and navigates effortlessly through, daily changes in workforce labor issues. Bill was well-liked, but most importantly, well-respected by the staff. What people liked most about Bill, and I have to say is one of my most admired traits, is that Bill is a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-is HR Director. When you were wrong, he told you, and when you were right, he stood up for you. He walked that fine-line of protecting the company AND managing employee rights. I could go on and on about the work he performed with our New Hire Workshops and Leveraging Differences Initiative, but his strongest asset is his tireless work ethic, which penetrates into everything he does. I would love to work with him again. Tondi Hobaica
Administrative Assistant, KLAS
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Bill Thomas was the Vice President of Human Resources at a very difficult time for Human Resources in our company. We had just been acquired and were working through the usual integration activities that occur immediately following a merger and/or acquisition.It was clear early on that most of the Human Resources staff would be negatively impacted by this acquisition.Bill is an open, honest leader. He told us upfront that he would fight for us, but that there were no guarantees. He quietly and calmly let us know that he expected our best and, because of his honesty and integrity, we gave our best.Bill’s style of management is to set expectations, troubleshoot, and allow his staff to do their job. He stays in contact, but he does not micro-manage. He understands the big picture and the business case without losing sight of the employees. I would work for Bill again in a heartbeat.Amy Irish, Benefits MgrDirect Report at Rochester Gas & Electric
