Carla Thomas currently serves as the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Lead Industry Liaison where she is responsible for improving the quality and effectiveness of industry engagement across the Department. Ms. Thomas leads the Industry Liaison Council, comprised of industry liaisons at fifteen component and operational offices and implements strategic initiatives of the Strategic Programs Division, Office of the Chief Procurement Officer. These initiatives include the Acquisition Innovations in Motion (AIiM) Strategic Industry Conversations, Reverse Industry Days, and Acquisition Innovation Roundtables, learning and requirement specific events.

Prior to joining DHS, Ms. Thomas served as the Small Business Program Manager, Industry Liaison and Ombudsman for the entire U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Ms. Thomas was responsible for providing leadership, policy, and achieving USCG’s small business goal achievement. As a result of Ms. Thomas’ leadership, USCG achieved its competition goal, and small business goals for 3 consecutive years totaling approximately $1B annually in small business awards. Prior to this position, Ms. Thomas was responsible for procuring USCG aircraft and parts under interagency agreements and commercial buys valued at over $60M.

Her previous assignments include the United States Army Medical Research and Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA), Information Technology E-Commerce, Commercial, Contracting Center (ITEC4) and the U.S. Army Mission Instillation Contracting Command (MICC), Headquarters, where she was responsible for reviewing requirements valued over $6B.

Ms. Thomas began her career in acquisitions after being selected to attend the Army Contracting Command’s intern program. Ms. Thomas graduated with an MBA and a B.S. degree, both from George Washington University. She is Level III certified in contracting by the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) and the Federal Acquisition Certification-Contracting (FAC-C).