Okaloosa County BOCC — September 15, 2015 — Thom Gossom Jr. 081315 — reading text

Jflj }x\/gfi; ij E y Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council { "\f.’\i 2015 Membership Application (Deadline: August 14) DESTIN | FT. WALTON BEACH RECEIVED AuG 1 2 2015 Thank you for expressing interest to be considered for appointment to the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council (“Council”). The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners appreciates your willingness to serve your fellow citizens in a volunteer capacity. Please complete this application to the best of your ability and include a resume. Name: %m bemmom TR crmar Les"/}u rL @ Cox. nesl Home Address: ODE T, TIDIZ S £ -:7&/5 FH 3oyl Phone Number W[4/ C): ¢S O ,}‘fy/?s'gsfixn. Phone Number@H/C): 3/ 2556778 Place of Employment: 32&4/ G uvf-/é,, INE ~ /[ Communfvwfi&v& fizm Are you a registered voter in Okaloosa County, Florida? YES _ L NO__ Voter ID# _ /@ 6O S &/D '7 Do you now serve, or have you ever served, on an Okaloosa County Board or Committee? YES MO - If YES, please list the board(s)/committee(s) and time period(s) served: T oue. ) devedopmens” Coumel /"Bc\ 2013 20/5~ I'am interested in serving in the following capacity (CHECK ONE): Owner or Operator of one of the following in Okaloosa County: Motels ____ Hotels Recreational vehicle parks or other tourist accommodations (please list) Individual involved in the tourist industry who has demonstrated an interest in tourist development, but does not own or operate motels, hotels, recreational vehicle parks or other tourist accommodations in Okaloosa County. Please attach a summary of your demonstrated interest in tourist development. Include, statement as to why you are interested in serving on the Council: ee Ve M Mf') Include a stg ment about what your membership will add to the Council: wftncted chote All information provided will become a matter of public record and will be subject to public disclosure. | certify that the above information is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. | understand that a volunteer position provides for no compensation except that as may be provided by Florida Statute. 5/‘// 3l 7/ s () Sign}éur = Date 2 i D= Z i ( Printed Name Please return completed application and resume to: Ed Schroeder Tourist Development Director Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 2015 TDC Membership Application Page 2 Why I am interested in the council? I currently serve on the council (2years) and would like to continue and complete many of the strategic directions we have instituted in the past two years. In association with the staff, the contracted firms, subcontractors, and under the authority of the County Commission, we have worked diligently to restore integrity and bring strategic direction to the council resulting in record numbers of tourists and bed tax dollars flowing into the county and strategic branding of “The Emerald Coast.” The record bed tax dollars have allowed for needed maintenance, upkeep and capital projects, strategic marketing in new markets across the United States, a branded focus on year-round tourism and reserve funds for unplanned weather or other emergencies. Our future is bright. We should continue with our strategic year round growth, tap new markets while reinforcing our base market. What my membership brings to the council? I am the only member of the council that is not a hotel, motel, condo, restaurant, or recreational park owner/operator. Therefore my votes are of no direct financial benefit to me. Instead as an independent consultant, I bring my years of experience in marketing, communications, entertainment and leadership to the council. Past tourism experience includes, The Birmingham International Airport, The Alabama Power Company, The Atlanta Olympic Committee, The Canadian Football League etc., Film Festivals. Over the past two years the council and staff have worked in accordance with the new and necessary county regulations. The first year was one of reaction, the second year has reaped the fruit of the TDD and the TDC being able to plan and work in accord. We should continue to move forward pursuing both traditional and non-traditional opportunities. Thom Gossom Jr. 25 Bay Drive SE Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548 310-285-6778 # bestgurl@cox.net ¢ www.BestGurl.com EXPERIENCE Business Establish systems and policies for small business functions including hiring, budgeting, business development, organizational development, marketing, and personnel reviews. Directed the daily activities of public relations and communications personnel. Created and facilitated leadership development training program in municipal setting. Created and facilitated corporate, community, and economic development programs. Taught University level students Public Relations and Media theory and applications. Managed activities of telecommunications training staff. Developed and implemented technical training for telecommunications personnel. Selected results include: ¢ Expand branding opportunities and increase revenue generation opportunities for University client. ¢ Increased small business revenue and net profit for more than 20 consecutive years. ¢ Recruited and led initiative for the Via College of Osteopathic Medicine to locate on the Auburn University campus. ¢ Serve as Ambassador of Presidents Office at Auburn University. ¢ Designed and implemented successful campaign to secure Birmingham, AL as the site for 1996, Olympic Soccer competitions. ¢ Created and served as executive director of corporate leadership program for 13 years. ¢ Service Excellence Award 2001, Project Corporate Leadership, Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce. ¢ Increased minority participant involvement in leadership and community roles 1987-2001. ¢ Facilitated national magazine exposure for City of Birmingham business recruitment efforts. Communications Research and write scripts and screenplays for theatre, film, and television. Develop public relations and communications programs for industrial, financial, telecommunications, aviation, education, governmental, community, and service clients. Designed and developed video and print public relations materials for use by telecommunications, industrial, and service organizations. Investigated and reported daily news for television news broadcast. Researched and wrote speeches for executive level personnel. Planned and coordinated events and campaigns for service, industrial, political, and governmental groups. Selected results include: A Slice Of Life, collection of short stories published by Aquarius Press 2015. Producer, Writer, Director Quiet Courage, The James Owens Story, a film documentary. Walk-On Thom Gossom memoir, published by State Street Press 2008. Designed communication function for PR group at Bellsouth Services. Designed communications campaign for expansion of Birmingham Airport. Researched and recommended campus wide advertising campaign at Auburn University. Creator and writer, Speak Of Me As I Am, produced theatrical. Olympic Soccer Video, Award of Excellence, Birmingham, AL, 1996. Creator, writer, and producer, Primetime BellSouth video magazine Creator, writer, producer, and host, Sport’s Rap, television broadcast production. ® S O O S O O O o Thom Gossom Jr. 2 Performance Feature film and episodic television actor for Warner Brothers, Fox, Paramount, Sony and Universal studios, also HBO, CBS, NBC and ABC. Starring roles in numerous multi-cast and one-man theatrical productions. National and international television and print commercial clients including insurance, health, finance, retail, service, and travel companies. Selected results include: & Reckless, Judge Kenneth Shepherd, co-star Game of Your Life, Lead, Billy Taylor Jr. Jeepers Creepers 2,L.ead, Coach Charlie Hannah. Fight Club, Featured role of Detective Stern. Drop Dead Diva, Mario Golden, Co-Star Miracle in the Woods, Leading role of Henry Cooper, Jr. Miss Evers’ Boys, Leading role of Ben Washington. Close to Home, Recurring role of Judge J. Hanophy. Boston Legal, Recurring role of Judge Blake Winters. Jack & Bobby, Recurring role of Joseph Ride. In the Heat of the Night, Recurring role of Ted Marcus. Cold Case, Guest Star role of Mike Odum. Touched by an Angel, Guest Star role of Dr. Winston. The West Wing, Guest Star role of Ted Mitchell. ER, Guest Star role of Mr. Davis. NYPD Blue, Guest Star role of Israel, Emmy award-winning episode. Becker, Co-Star role of Mr. Rainey. Speak of Me As I Am, One Man Play performed at the University of West Florida, The Matrix and Court theatres in Los Angeles and for Southern Playworks in Birmingham, AL. Ali, One Man Show performed at the Birmingham Festival Theatre. My Children! My Africa! Starring role of Mr. M at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. ¢ American Buffalo, Starring role of Donny Dubrow at the Town and Gown Theatre in Birmingham, AL. ¢ Guys and Dolls, Role of Big Jule, at Northwest Florida Community College. LR ZEE JEE JEE R R 2R JEE 2R R R R JEE 2R R R 2 * o JOB HISTORY President/Owner Best Gurl Entertainment Inc., Los Angeles, CA and Fort Walton Beach, FL, February 2004 to Present. Stage, Screen, and Television Actor Screen Actor’s Guild, Los Angeles, CA, 1983 to Present. President/Owner jTG consulting Inc., Los Angeles, CA, Birmingham, AL, and Fort Walton Beach, FL, January 1998 to January 2004. Adjunct Instructor University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL, January 1997 to May 1999. President/Owner Thom Gossom Communications, Birmingham, AL, June 1987 to December 1997. Staff Manager, Public Relations AT&T/BellSouth, Birmingham, AL, February 1978 to May 1987. News Anchor WBM42-TV, Birmingham, AL, 1976 to 1977. Professional Football Player National Football League, Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots, 1975 to 1977. Thom Gossom Jr. 3 EDUCATION Master of Arts in Mass Communications, Public Relations, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL, 1981. Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, Television and Radio, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 1975. Numerous professional seminars and workshops. PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Chair, Auburn University Foundation Member, Screen Actor’s Guild. Board of Directors, Auburn University Alumni Magazine Advisory Board. (Former) Board Member, University of Montevallo Foundation. (Former) Board Member, Alabama School of Fine Arts, Former. Secretary, Rotary of Birmingham, (Former). L R R R R B 4 SELECTED PRESENTATIONS AND KEY NOTE ADDRESSES Auburn University Master of Ceremony, The 8500 Million Capital Campaign. Association of Governing Boards Annual Meeting, 7%e Film Of My Life. The College Board, / Never Had an Entourage. Auburn University Commencement, 7/%e Fiim OF My Life. Florida State-Panama City Commencement, 7/%e Scenic Route. Revere Corporation International Management Conference Keynote Speaker, Leadership. Auburn University Athletics Department, The Four Quarters of Life. National Football Foundation Awards Banquet, Keynote Speaker. Collegiate High School Commencement, Niceville, Florida, Gifts for a Successful Life. Project Corporate Leadership, Graduation Speaker, Where Do We Go From Here? Birmingham Advertising Federation, Diversity is More than a Word. National Association of Black Legislators, 4/i Excerpts. Leadership Alabama, Leadership Challenge. Leadership Birmingham, Leadership Challenge. L R R R R R R R N R R 2