Thomas Downs
- Executive Director, Strategic Impact and Engagement, Hiring Our Heroes
Tom Downs serves as executive director of strategic impact and engagement with Hiring Our Heroes (HOH). In this role, he leads the organization’s fellowship portfolio, overseeing innovative workforce development programs that connect transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and caregivers with meaningful employment opportunities. In addition, Tom oversees HOH’s strategic engagement efforts, driving key initiatives that strengthen relationships with corporate sponsors, ambassadors, and stakeholders. He provides leadership for high-impact events, fundraising strategies, and engagement opportunities that elevate the mission and expand support for the military community. Through this dual portfolio, Tom plays a critical role in advancing HOH’s national strategy to connect the military community with meaningful careers while deepening employer commitment to hiring military talent.
He was previously the director of talent operations and programs at Booz Allen Hamilton, bringing a wealth of expertise in talent acquisition and workforce development strategy. For nearly five and a half years at Booz Allen, Tom was instrumental in advancing their talent acquisition strategy, driving impactful hiring initiatives that strengthen the firm’s workforce and industry positioning as a destination of choice for military-affiliated professionals and other key talent segments.
Prior to Booz Allen, Tom held talent leadership positions at Gartner and Capital One, where he spearheaded large-scale talent acquisition programs. At Gartner, he led the firm’s global diversity talent acquisition efforts, establishing and executing comprehensive outreach, engagement, and recruiting strategies across EMEA, APAC, and North America. During his nearly six-year tenure at Capital One, Tom led focused hiring initiatives for veterans, military spouses, and individuals with disabilities. His efforts reinforced Capital One’s standing as a recognized industry leader in diversity and military hiring.
A retired U.S. Army veteran, Tom served for 21 years as both an engineer and a recruiter, overseeing high school, college, officer, and Special Forces recruitment efforts. His dedication to military hiring excellence was nationally recognized in 2023 with the “Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award for Individual Excellence in Veteran and Military Spouse Employment” from Hiring Our Heroes.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Training and Development (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Louisville. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and daughter, traveling, riding his motorcycle, and attending sporting events.
