Executive Office Of Labor And Workforce Development Staff Member Dennis M. Thompson Recognized By National Association Of State Workforce Agencies

BOSTON- The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) is proud to announce that Scituate resident Dennis M. Thompson has been awarded the Merrill Baumgardner Award. The Merrill Baumgardner Award recognizes significant contributions to the field of information technology in workforce agencies, and is presented by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). Mr. Thompson currently serves as Chief Information Officer in EOLWD’s Department of Workforce Development.

In his almost 40 years of service to the Commonwealth, Mr. Thompson has shown great integrity and initiative in improving technology strategy, operations and implementation. After starting at the entry-level position of Statistical Machine Operator, Mr. Thompson went on to be an instrumental part of the design, development and implementation of the Unemployment Insurance Automated System for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Mr. Thompson has been an integral part of advancing workforce development systems on both the state and national level. In 1993, he was part of a group that advised the U.S. Department of Labor on the use of the Internet for performing unemployment insurance functions. In 1994, Mr. Thompson also helped lay the groundwork for the Information Technology Support Center by developing the mission statement, role and purpose of the center, and by defining governance structure and funding methodology.

Mr. Thompson served five terms on the Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies’ Automation and Telecommunications Committee from 1989 to 1999. He also served on the steering committee that assessed the needs of the workforce development community for the initial launch of the NASWA website.

In addition to these many accomplishments, Mr. Thompson has been a leader in advancing technology. He has directed the development and implementation of a PC-based Training and Employment Directory, the Accounts Receivable Trial Balance system, Mail Claims system, Telephone Claims systems, Interactive Voice system, virtual call centers and web-based applications for tax filings and payments.

Mr. Thompson’s high standards for excellence have set the bar for workforce development operations and information technology solutions. His integrity and professionalism have made him a dynamic leader and an essential contributor to public service in the Commonwealth.

The Merrill Baumgardner award is named for a longtime employee of the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services. Baumgardner spent thirty-one of his fifty-five years at the Bureau as data processing manager.