Deborah Garrett Thomas

Background

Thomas, Deborah Garrett was born on December 13, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Daughter of Roosevelt Lorenzo and Susie Johnson Garrett.

Education

Bachelor in Sociology, Northern Illinois University, 1971. Certified public manager, University Wisconsin, 1997.

Career

Unit director Chicago Youth Center, 1972-1973. Field director II Girl Scouts Chicago, 1973-1978. Membership/program specialist Black Hawk council Girl Scouts, Madison, Wisconsin, 1978-1984.

Housing specialist Dane County Housing Authority, 1985-1990. Rental rehabilitation program manager State of Wisconsin Division Housing, 1990-1998. Executive director Community Development Housing Operations, since 1998.

Member long-term support committee Dane County, Madison, since 1991. Home performance advisory committee State of Wisconsin, Madison, since 1996.

Achievements

• Deborah Garrett Thomas has been listed as a noteworthy housing development executive by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Board directors Affordable Comfort, Inc., Pittsburgh, 1997-1900, St. Stephen Territory Housing, Chicago, 1974-1979, Urban Young Life, Dane County, 1995-1997. Program chair Bayview Foundation, Madison, 1983-1986. Second vice president Black Hawk Council, Madison, 1987-1993.

Training committee State Combined Campaign, Madison, 1994-1998. Member National Association Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Wisconsin Minority Women's Network, Northern Illinois University Black Choir (founding member, president 1968-1971, Service award 1994), Madison Metro-The Links, Inc. (chair arts committee since 1994), Delta Sigma Theta (vice president 1996-1997).

Interests

• Singing, poetry.

Connections

Married Otis Bradley Thomas, November 17, 1976. Children: Nikki Atiya, Bradley Kenyatta.

Father:

Roosevelt Lorenzo

Mother:

Susie Johnson Garrett

Spouse:

Otis Bradley Thomas

child:

Bradley Kenyatta Thomas

child:

Nikki Atiya Thomas