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CURRICULUM VITAE: J. Thomas Failla Home: 21 Samuelson Road, Weston, CT 06883 Work: 203-857-7303; Home 203-544-1048 E-mail: tfailla@ncc.comment.edu or jtf@comstrat.com Education University
of New Haven,
M.B.A.
1989 Central
Connecticut State University,
B.A., Political Science 1973 Summary of
Qualifications Educator,
entrepreneur, corporate executive and journalist with broad experience in
organizational and professional development, human resources, management,
training, strategic planning, marketing, public affairs and environmental policy
issues. Experience spans assignments in industry, education and state and local
government. Accomplished
teacher, speaker, writer and editor with a strong interest in teaching and
administrative positions in public and higher education where background can
lead to valuable contributions. Well-informed on Connecticut business, education
and environmental matters. Professional
Advancement NCC
Distance Learning Skills Workshops for Instructors
2001 (HTML, Frontpage, Power Point) American Society of Training and Development, Chapter Officer 2000-2002 ACT
(Trained WorkKeys Job Profiler)
1999 Certified
Facilitator (Community Technical College System)
1999 Corporate
Image and Reputation (Conference Board)
1996 Quality Improvement Process in Public Education
(Juran Institute)
1993 Diversity Awareness (Roosevelt
Thomas)
1992 Performance Based Management
(Union Carbide Prof. Development)
1991 Total Quality Management
(Union Carbide Prof. Development)
1987 Workshops
Offered Developed a 3-credit Technical Writing Course for
NCC
2000 Community Relations (Sacred
Heart University)
1998 Strategic Planning, Event Planning (U.S. Geological Survey) 1997 Employee Communications (Society of Professional Journalists)
1995 Strategic Planning
(International Association of Business Communicators)
1994 Lecturer on communications topics
(CCSU, Fairfield, WCSU, UConn)
1983-97 Published
Works Article for
Bayer executive on Investing in U.S.
Healthcare Research
1995 New American Communities: The Towery Report on
Fairfield County
1994 Prepared Union Carbide’s chapter on
Bhopal in Crisis Response
1992 National articles about energy and the
environment for The Associated Press
1973-76 Professional
and Civic American Society of Training and Development, 1998-present Society of Human Resources Management, 1998-present SACIA, The Business Council, 1996-2000 Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce, 1994-2000 Fairfield County Public Relations Association, 1978-present, President 1983, 1994 International
Association of Business Communicators, 1978-1982, 1996-1999 Conservation Commission, Weston, Conn., 1992-present, Chair
1998-present Norwalk River Watershed Initiative,
Weston’s representative, 1997-present Weston
Zoning Board of Appeals, 1990-92 Kiwanis International,
Director, 1992-1998 United Way of Northern Fairfield County,
Director 1993-95, Trustee, 1995-1999 Area
Nine Cable Council, 1993-96, Chair,
1994-96 Norwalk Community-Technical College Foundation,
Director, 1982-93 Weston,
Conn. Public Schools, Science
Curriculum Committee, 1990-92, Quality
Process Committee, 1992-93 Cub Scout Pack 75, Director,
1991-94 Weston Little League, Coach
1991-95 Norwalk Committee in Support of
Public Education, 1981-85 CAREER Iona College 2002-present Adjunct professor Mass Communications (graduate and undergraduate) Courses include Theories of Human Communications, Propaganda and Persuasion, Public Opinion Dynamics, Community and Government Relations Norwalk Community College
2000-present Adjunct
professor in Business and Political Science
Norwalk Community College
1998-Present Director, Business and Industry Services and The
Workforce Education Institute Leads the college’s educational outreach to employers in lower Fairfield County and directs The Workforce Institute, a unit that provides organizational and professional development and customized training services to such companies as Pitney Bowes, Pepperidge Farm, Reed Exhibition, Reuters and Virgin Atlantic. ·
Generate
more than $300,000 annually in revenues for the college by providing 15-to-20
area employers with approximately 100 customized job training programs.
Introduced a 21st century training model that involves diagnostics,
development and delivery of training services, using ACT’s WorkKeys job
profiling and skills assessment system and educational resources of the college
and the state higher education system. ·
Developed
new programs and capabilities in computer systems and networking, precision
manufacturing and electronic
controls and troubleshooting training. ·
Developed
new programs in customer service training for products and services
representatives. ·
Obtained
a first-of-its-kind state Education Department grant for a dual English language
and customer training program for hotel employees. ·
Developed
a performance management program for supervisors and group leaders. Communications Strategies & Services, Inc., Weston,
Conn.
1994-2000 President
Management
consultant, writer and entrepreneur providing communications and relationship
building strategies and services that improve effectiveness of organizations in
influencing such key audiences as business leaders, communities, employees,
recruits, media, customers and shareholders. Among organizations served are:
Bayer Pharmaceutical, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Connecticut United for Research
Excellence, The Perrier Group of America, Texaco, Union Carbide, University of
New Haven Center for Family Business and United Way of Northern Fairfield
County. ·
Counseled Connecticut United for
Research Excellence on positioning its messages about the benefits of biomedical
research and biotechnology for the state before policymakers, business leaders
and the public. ·
Advised Bristol-Myers Squibb executives
on community relations issues affecting the company’s major Connecticut
research and development center. ·
Represented and advised the Town of
Fairfield, Conn. Board of Education during a highly-charged investigation into
tampering on standardized tests. · Planned and executed launch communications and follow up promotions for the University of New Haven’s Center for Family Business. ·
Advised and supported Bayer
Pharmaceutical’s corporate communications group on
employee communications and recruiting, media relations and community
affairs, including development and implementation of an “employer of choice”
strategy and establishment of the West Haven Economic Development Corporation. ·
Developed and implemented an internal
strategic communications plan for The Perrier Group of America aimed at unifying
a workforce that had grown from 700 to 4,500 employees through major
acquisitions. ·
Established the Connecticut Department
of Revenue Services web site enabling the collection of more than $17 million in
delinquent taxes. ·
Co-authored a 270-page anthology on
life and business in Fairfield County. Union Carbide Corporation, Danbury,
Conn.
1983-93
Assistant
Director, Corporate Communications,
1987-93
Directed
professional staff of five and annual project budgets of $2 million in the
development and execution of internal and external corporate communications
programs. Expertise in use of polls and surveys, all forms of traditional and
new communications strategic planning, tracking and measurement, quality
management processes, community affairs and business, industry and government
relations. ·
Integrated employee communications
across division and staff lines to improve key message delivery, saved $500,000
and paved way for new systems, including intranet. ·
Provided communications counsel and
recruiting support for 10 years to the Corporate Fellows Organization, the
company’s top 30 research and development scientists. · Developed recognition programs for deserving R&D scientists and other employees. · Directed a marketing communications campaign for managed care introduction that helped employees adapt to the change. ·
Launched communications that built
awareness and improved sensitivity to diversity, harassment prevention, upward
mobility and work-family issues. ·
Led program to rebuild company
credibility that reached 20 million viewers at less than two cents per viewer
through television talk shows. ·
Set a new industry standard for
effective communications with a "benefits of chemicals"
video -
20,000 copies circulated nationally 1989-91. Program paved the way for major
campaigns to improve industry image and influence public attitudes favorably
toward chemicals and plastics. ·
Directed communications and built
public sector alliances for the Chairman's public education reform agenda. ·
Prepared Union Carbide’s chapter on
Bhopal for the book, Crisis Response, and led the international video
production, “Unraveling the Tragedy at Bhopal”. ·
Served on the Board of Directors for
United Way of Northern Fairfield County, chaired the marketing committee and
helped lead a five-year strategic planning process. Manager,
Internal Communications,
1985-87 Initiated
with the human resources department a team approach to employee communications.
Managed a three-member professional communications staff and a budget
approaching $750,000 in the planning, development and implementation of
communications about the business, productivity, compensation and benefits.
Also, on special assignment, prepared communications on Bhopal, GAF takeover
attempt, and health, safety and environmental issues. ·
Redirected company magazine and video
program to emphasize business issues and company mission and values in
compelling, credible style. ·
Improved spot news delivery through
introduction of rapid electronic systems like E-Mail and automated faxes. ·
Developed a two-way network to bring
field and staff communicators closer together and improve information relevancy
and usefulness. Assistant
Manager, Media Relations,
1983-1985 Developed
with business and staff groups stories for national, local and trade media about
the company, its products, services and people. Specialized in crises related to
safety and environment, outreach programs to business journalists, students and
local communities. ·
Media advisor to Chairman, lawyers,
division and plant management during Bhopal. ·
Company representative to University of
Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School program for business journalists and
Washington Workshop and Science Horizons for high school students. AMAX Inc., Greenwich,
Conn.
1978-83 Manager,
Communications Services, 1979-83 ·
Initiated working relationship with
human resources department using communications to encourage employee awareness
and commitment on such issues as business objectives, productivity, compensation
and benefits. Assisted college recruitment efforts. Public
Relations Officer, 1978-79 ·
Represented the company before
community, including City of Greenwich, Greenwich Chamber of Commerce and SACIA. Hurdman
and Cranstoun, CPAs, New York, N.Y.
1977-78 Assistant Director, Communications ·
Directed,
edited and wrote company internal and marketing publications. ·
Directed
efforts to reach out to the media to explain the accounting profession and
position the firm as an industry leader. American
Airlines, New York, N.Y.
1976-77 Manager, Editorial Services ·
Wrote and edited daily news reports for
employees and executives. ·
Managed marketing communications for
$200 million air freight business. Associated
Press, Hartford, Conn.
1973-76 Reporter and
Editor ·
Reported on state and local affairs
including the governor and the General Assembly. ·
Developed major national reports on
environmental and energy issues. Central Connecticut State University, New
Britain, Conn.
1972-73 Public
Affairs Associate ·
Wrote press releases, edited college
publications and conducted campus VIP tours. Bridgeport Post, Bridgeport,
Conn. 1968-72 Reporter and
Features Writer ·
Reported on environmental issues
including the formation of Connecticut’s Department of Environmental
Protection and passage of clean air and water legislation and wetlands
protection measures. Hartford Times, Hartford,
Conn. 1968-69 Reporter and
Editor ·
Covered city and suburban police beat.
Worked as copy editor and headline writer.
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