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As he prepares to retire, IT Supervisor Jeffrey Thomas looks back on 12 years of supporting the technology needs of all the city’s departments. His role has covered everything from system maintenance, upgrades and troubleshooting to device deployment and keeping our infrastructure secure.
Since Jeffrey joined the city in 2014, technology has evolved rapidly and with it, the demands on municipal IT. He has seen significant growth in mobile computing, cybersecurity awareness, the need for connectivity in the field and the rapid dissemination of information. IT’s role has shifted from primarily reactive support to a more proactive and strategic approach.
“The people are my favorite part of the job,” Jeffrey said. “Our IT team is solid and there’s real satisfaction in taking something that isn’t working and bringing it back to life. No two days are ever quite the same, which keeps things interesting.”
He said successfully navigating several system upgrades and device deployments, particularly those involving public safety equipment, has been especially rewarding.
Jeffrey was born in Hatfield, England. He has lived and worked in several European countries, Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and the US.
He is married to Dawn Huss. His son, Philip, lives in England and also works in IT.
“It’s been a privilege to work alongside people who genuinely care about our community,” said Jeffrey. “Most municipal work happens behind the scenes, but it makes a real difference in people’s daily lives. I appreciate the teamwork, dedication and shared sense of purpose across departments.”
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