Jason Thomas

Experience

• 

  Construction Data Company

  May 2002 - May 2005

  Online Research Reporter/Associate Editor

  o Discovered, investigated and reported on new and ongoing construction projects throughout Pennsylvania and New England for publication in two subscriber-based weekly newspapers through online research and telephone interviewso Initiated and cultivated working relationships with architects, developers and government staff to gain access to project informationo Oversaw the largest number of active projects among all company reporters

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  Penn State University

  May 2005 - now

  Lead Transportation Services project teams and manage various department projects.Oversee marketing and communications efforts, including both full and part-time staff.Key Projects Managed:- Bicycle Master Plan- Virtual Parking Permit Transition- New Parking Violation System- Daily Parking Reservations Program- Mistall Parking Deck Capacity Site- Third-Party Billing- ParkMobile and HONK Parking Digital Payment Systems- Community/Visitor Parking Permit Option- Permit Rate Increase Process- New Access Equipment for Campus Parking Decks- New Website Launch- First-Year Student Parking Application- Program Launches (Spin, Lyft, RideOn)- New Parking Lot Signage- Customer Surveys- Campus Shuttle Service Planning and New Route Creation- Planning and Hosting the Campus Parking and Transportation Association Conference at Penn State Show less o Developed and executed communications and marketing plans for Transportation Services, including multiple major projects and program launches (RIDEpass, Enterprise CarShare, Zimride, Zagster Bike Share, 24/7 parking operations, Campus Shuttle expansion, TransLoc Rider app, Penn State Interactive Map, online-only student parking registration, and ParkMobile)o Communications and marketing efforts have contributed to increased Campus Shuttle ridership, student parking permit sales, and Fleet vehicle rentals and saleso Expanded Transportation Services participation in University and community events and represented department at events and with mediao Manages one full-time employee and previously supervised part-time and intern staff; writes and edits job descriptions and frequently participates in interview process for open positionso Established productive working relationships with many partner organizations, including Intercollegiate Athletics, Office of Physical Plant, Centre Area Transportation Authority, Borough of State College, Bryce Jordan Center, Strategic Communications, Auxiliary & Business Service Marketing and Finance offices, Housing & Food Services, Purchasing, Lion Surplus, Finance & Business IT, Human Resources, Disability Resources, Centre Region Council of Governments Planning Agency, TransLoc, Enterprise/Zimride, and ParkMobileo Corresponds with customers by email, social media, phone, and in-person events to answer questions and address concernso Coordinates map production and disseminates information on construction and maintenance activities related to campus parking and transportation facilities via website content, listserv and targeted emails, press releases, and social mediao Administers an annual marketing and communications budgeto Advises Transportation Services leadership on marketing and communications strategy, provides feedback on proposed department initiatives Show less o Managed and modernized the parking privileges revocation and ticket appeals processes for students, faculty and staff, to include participation of two three-person appeals committeeso Coordinated parking enforcement activities with parking enforcement staff, to include ticketing, towing and resolution of safety issueso Solved customer issues, responded to questions and processed permit and ticket transactions at front counter and via email and phone correspondence with internal and external customerso Tracked and processed non-sufficient fund checks, bursar bad debt, restitution payments, and payroll deduction of parking violations for faculty and staffo Developed and maintained weekly document for all parking-related staff that tracked department and campus information pertinent to themo Took on additional communications and marketing duties, including creation and coordination of Facebook and Twitter accounts, department website management, email listserv, select outreach events, and staff meeting minuteso Won the 2012 Auxiliary and Business Services Creativity and Innovation Award; also nominated in 2011 Show less o Supervised on-campus event parking operations, including Intercollegiate Athletics, Bryce Jordan Center, Center for the Performing Arts, and other campus and community events; was responsible for safe and accurate permit transactions while ensuring patrons entered venues on time and with a positive impression of the Universityo Solved customer issues and processed parking permit sales for faculty, staff and visitors, often while working in adverse traffic and weather conditions with large volumes of moneyo Served as first point of contact for many campus visitors, providing parking, directions and information on a wide range of campus serviceso Promoted to event supervisor within two months of student employment; served as Kiosk Supervisor in his absence Show less

  • Special Projects Manager

    Apr 2021 - now

  • Marketing Strategy Specialist

    Feb 2014 - Apr 2021

  • Administrative Support Assistant

    Jan 2011 - Feb 2014

  • Staff Assistant/Event Parking Supervisor

    May 2005 - Dec 2010