Thomas Overton
About Thomas Overton
Thomas Overton is a Senior Strategic Development Specialist at General Atomics, where he has worked since 2017. He has a diverse background, including roles in editing, military service, and extensive education in gemology, finance, and law.
Work at General Atomics
Thomas Overton has served as a Senior Strategic Development Specialist at General Atomics since 2017. In this role, he has contributed to various initiatives aimed at enhancing the company's strategic capabilities. He spearheaded a new presentation skills training program, transitioning the group from external consultants to in-house expertise. Overton also produced a video and blog post for a division head, which resulted in increased requests for his contributions and speaking opportunities from other industry groups. Additionally, he successfully concluded a stalled group website revamp project, introducing new content across all divisions and launched corporate social media accounts that achieved consistent audience growth.
Previous Experience
Prior to his current role, Thomas Overton held several positions that contributed to his expertise in strategic development and editing. He worked at the Gemological Institute of America as Managing Editor from 2002 to 2011. He also served as Gas Technology Editor at Access Intelligence from 2012 to 2017. His early career included a role as Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (Nuclear Qualified) in the US Navy from 1984 to 1987, and as Managing Editor at James Publishing from 1997 to 2002.
Education and Expertise
Thomas Overton has a diverse educational background that supports his professional roles. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Southern California from 1989 to 1992. He later studied law at the University of California, Los Angeles - School of Law, achieving his Juris Doctor degree from 1992 to 1995. Overton also pursued studies in Gemology at the Gemological Institute of America, obtaining the GG designation from 2002 to 2003, and achieved the FGA designation from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain from 2005 to 2008. Additionally, he completed a Certificate in Finance at UC San Diego from 2019 to 2021.
Achievements in Communication and Management
At General Atomics, Thomas Overton has successfully managed several key projects that highlight his communication and management skills. He managed the patent portfolio for a business unit, collaborating with the law department on patent applications and prosecution. His initiatives in launching corporate social media accounts have led to significant organic audience growth and engagement, particularly with clients from the Department of Energy and national laboratories. Overton's efforts in enhancing internal training and revamping the group website have also contributed to improved organizational communication.