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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
NSU Alumni Spotlight: Thomas D. Cairns, D.B.A. (M.S. ’90, D.B.A. ’96)
Thomas D. Cairns, D.B.A
Thomas D. Cairns, D.B.A. (M.S.’90, D.B.A. ’96), is an associate professor and Fulbright Scholar at the Graduate School of Business and Management Azusa Pacific University. He also is the principal and chief career coach of Cairns Blaner Group, a consulting company focused on delivering career management strategies and services.
Previously, Cairns served as chief human capital officer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. He was responsible for human resource management and training for more than 200,000 employees. Prior to founding the Cairns Blaner Group in 2007, Cairns was senior vice president of human resources for NBC NBC Universal, a division of General Electric Company. He had been with GE for 30 years, from 1986 to 2006, managing local, regional, and national human resource organizations. While at GE, Cairns received his Six Sigma certification. Before GE, and after serving in the United States Air Force, he spent 10 years working with RCA Service Company (1976–1986).
Some of Cairns’ honors include designation as the Fulbright Scholar to Ireland, the Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Presidential appointment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Cairns has authored, coauthored, and presented numerous articles on human resource management and leadership and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Employment Relations Today. He is author of the career search book All Systems Go: How to Launch a Successful Job Search. Away from work, he enjoys golf, travel, and reading.
“The education I received at NSU contributed to my growth in my profession as a human resource leader,”Cairns said. “My doctorate prepared me for a new profession in academia, where I could continue to make a contribution to the development of future professionals and leaders in business.”