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Brent Thomas

Operations Researcher

Pittsburgh Office

Education

M.S. and Ph.D. in water resources, University of California, Los Angeles; M.S. in environmental engineering, University of Texas; B.S. in chemical engineering, classical languages, and mathematics, Vanderbilt University

Contact Information

Overview

Biography

Brent Thomas is an optimization specialist who focuses on resource management, particularly in the fields of manpower and infrastructure for clients in the national defense and homeland security sectors. He is particularly interested in the areas of career field management, organization of training programs, and resource allocation in air transport networks. He previously worked as an engineer in optimizing fuel blend stock selection and as an environmental consultant in water quality modeling. Thomas also holds an adjunct professorship at Carnegie Mellon University in the Heinz School of Public Policy and Management.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Managing the Air Force Logistics Enterprise
A Strategic Assessment of C-NAF Force Postures
Managing the FBI Workforce
Multi-echelon Inventory Management and Optimization
Career Progression in the Space & Missile Force

Selected Publications

J.H. Bigelow, William W. Taylor, S.Craig Moore, Brent Thomas, Estimating the Operational Training Needs of Air Force Fighter Squadrons, RAND (RB-107), 2003

J.H. Bigelow, William W. Taylor, S.Craig Moore, Brent Thomas, Models of Operational Training in Fighter Squadrons, RAND (MR-1701), 2003

William W. Taylor, J.H. Bigelow, S.Craig Moore, Leslie Wickman, Brent Thomas, Richard Marken, Absorbing Air Force Fighter Pilots: Parameters, Problems, and Policy Options, RAND (MR-1550), 2002