Thomas (Tom) Kirk
Experienced Chief Diplomatic Technology Officer with a demonstrated history of successfully managing and leading diverse work groups. Skilled technology leader with a focus on IT strategy, customer service, cybersecurity, leadership development, and project management.
25 years experience as a State Department IT professional
Six years as Chief DTO in Buenos Aires and Tunisia.
Three years as the Regional Information Management Officer (RIMO) for NEA-SCA/EX.
Two years managing classified communications, programs, and logistics for one of the largest offices of its kind in the Department.
One year as Executive Assistant to the Department CIO.
Graduate of Diplomatic Technology’s Executive Development Program and National Defense University’s Advanced Management Program.
Additional assignments: Brussels NATO, Embassy Seoul, Consulate Istanbul, and the Office of eDiplomacy.
U.S. Embassy Argentina
Provide the overall strategic vision for all Diplomatic Technology programs and align this strategy with the higher-level goals of the Department of State. Lead, manage, and oversee all Diplomatic Technology business units while promoting actions in support of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
Developed and implemented an anonymous interview and hiring process to support DEIA objectives.
Led the implementation of a Zero Trust architecture initiative, working to advance the Department's security goals.
Provided comprehensive mentoring and early career guidance to a Foreign Affairs IT Fellow.
Coached/mentored an entry-level IT professional at a neighboring post who lacked senior leadership.
Strengthened the mission’s security posture and addressed OIG recommendations. Led team to improved risk scores which rank among the top ten in the Department.
U.S. Embassy Pakistan
Directed classified operations in Islamabad, leading a multidisciplinary team of 35 IT, mailroom, and telecom professionals in support of 1,400 customers. Provided logistics, administrative, and staffing support to the consulates in Lahore and Peshawar. Created operational efficiencies and enhanced morale under challenging conditions.
Led Mission Pakistan recruiting efforts, managing interview schedules, candidate selection, and DEIA practices.
Managed over $7M in IT assets and projects.
Streamlined and optimized staff scheduling across Mission Pakistan.
Reinstituted classified shipments via Bahrain after normal routes through Bangkok were canceled.
Located, planned, and transported over $15M of secure equipment from the U.S. to Islamabad.
Mentored and guided recently promoted junior staff, preparing them for future managerial roles.
U.S. Embassy Tunisia
Normalized IT operations, improved customer service, provided strategic guidance, and boosted morale over a four-year period at a high-threat embassy emerging from unaccompanied status. Delivered comprehensive IT support to the U.S. Embassy for Libya, co-located with the Embassy in Tunis.
Promoted a culture of innovation and provided strategic vision to a team of 25 IT and communications professionals, pursuing success at all organizational levels.
Managed emergency communications during a suicide bombing attack on the embassy.
Enhanced staffing and customer support by creating and filling one USDH, three Locally Employed Staff, and three Eligible Family Member positions.
Led the team through the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining high morale and managing staffing gaps by optimizing the skillsets of remaining personnel to sustain operations.
Managed embassy financial operations during staffing shortages.
National Defense University
College of Information and Cyberspace
Advanced Management Program
In this 14-week, graduate-level program, I developed CIO-level leadership and management skills focused on leveraging information technology for strategic advantage within and across federal organizational boundaries. Earned the Chief Information Officer certificate.
Foreign Service Institute
School of Applied Information Technology
Executive Development Program
Successfully completed leadership and management training designed to develop the next generation of information technology leaders at the Department of State. As a member of the third graduating class, I was selected to serve as the Executive Assistant to the Department’s Chief Information Officer.
University of Wisconsin
School of Business
MS, Information Systems Analysis and Design
Building on a solid foundation of business and information technology coursework, I earned a graduate degree that provided a blend of business acumen, industry practices, and hands-on technology instruction.
By combining the study of business strategy, industry practices, and technology systems, I developed the skills needed to transform business requirements into value-added technology solutions while leading business units focused on creating strategic and competitive advantage from information technology.