~ Member Biographies ~

~ Dorene Thomas Biography ~

... continued from our Advisory Panel Members Home Page.

Chief Thomas is second Vice-President for the Florida Police Chief's Association, past Chair of the Pinellas Police Standards Council, Past President of Tampa Bay Area Police Chiefs Association, and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Information Systems Council. She serves on the Florida Attorney General's Advisory Board, Domestic Security Oversight Council, Pinellas County Substance Abuse Advisory Board, St. Petersburg College Regional Community Policing Training Advisory Board, Visitation Center Advisory Board, Vincent House Board, and Par Live-Free Board. She is a Florida State Certified Instructor, an Instructor for St. Petersburg's Regional Community Policing Institute, and an Adjunct Professor at St. Petersburg College. She has been awarded the Pinellas Emergency Mental Health Services Community Service Award, Police Officer of the Year, and the Tampa Bay Government Business Woman of the Year.

She holds an A.S. Degree in Police Administration from the St. Petersburg Junior College, B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Florida, M.A. Degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University, and is working towards her Doctorate. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida's Executive Fellows Leadership Development Program, The Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute Chief Executive Seminar and the F.B.I. National Academy.

She is retired with 24 years of service from the United States Naval Reserve as a Chief Petty Officer, having held positions as Acting Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, and Sailor of the Year. She balances her busy life spending time with family and friends, and the Music Ministry at her church.