Frank Thomas:  

mpleted my Master of Public Administration degree from University of Phoenix. College Attended Stranahan from 1963 to 1965 when I graduated. Went to Broward Junior College for two terms in 1966 until I flunked out and enlisted in the Marines. Returned to Broward Community College in 1972 when I got out of the service and attended until I graduated with a Associate of Arts degree in Political Science in May of 1976. Attended Nova University from 1979 to 1981 Graduated Summa Cum Laude in June of 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Politic and Public Affairs (Public Administration). I just completed my Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. Workplace Discharged from the Marine Corps in February 1972 after five and a half years of service. Went to work for the City of Fort Lauderdale for the next eighteen years in a variety of management positions such as Administrative Aide, Planning Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Grantsman, and Public Works Administrator. Hired as City Manager of the City of Pahokee, Florida in 1989 and served until the following year in that position. From there, I was hired as Assistant Public Works Director of the City of Miami Springs, Florida in 1991 and also served as interim Purchasing Agent, interim Budget Officer, interim Personnel Officer, interim Assistant City Manager and interim Public Works Director. Left Miami Springs in 1994 and did consulting work for a short period until I was hired as Contracts Administrator by the City of Stuart, Florida in 1995. I left Stuart did a little consulting work as a Grantsman. I was the City Manager of the City of Mulberry, Florida from July 1, 2006 through May 5, 2009. I served as City Manager of Moore Haven, Florida until my retirement in October of 2011. Military Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after flunking out of Broward Junior College in 1969 (only went to avoid the draft). After boot camp at Parris Island (yes it was everything it was reputed to be - see the movie "Full Metal Jacket" that was boot camp!), went to Naval Air Station Memphis, TN for aviation training. After training I was assigned to a medium helicopter squdron (HMM-264) at Marine Corps Air Station New River North Carolina and then did a six month deployment to the Carribean including almost having to invade Panama when Torreos took over the government there. In February of 1969 when the Tet offensive hit in Viet Nam, I was offered an opportunity to go to Officer Candidates School at Quantico, VA and accepted. Twelve weeks later I was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Marines and sent to Infantry training. After twenty eight weeks of intensive eighteen hour a day training was sent to Okinawa to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines just back from Viet Nam for further experience. I was later transferred to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines in Viet Nam as a Rifle Platoon Commander and saw considerable action against VC and NVA forces. After Viet Nam I was transferred to the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines for a luxurious six months deployment to the Mediterranean and then released from active duty. Stayed in the Reserves and after eighteen years retired from my last assignment as Commanding Officer of the Miami Reserve Anti-Tank (TOW) Company as a Major. Loved every damned minute of it and would do it again in a New York minute. Still get choked up when I hear the Marine's Hymn, the Star Spangled Banner, old John Wayne movies, Lee Grenwood song "I'm proud to be an American", and episodes of JAG. I always wanted to be a Marine when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a great idea. As it turns out, they were right..