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A Publication Featuring The Information Services Technology of Maine State Government
| Volume V, Issue 5 | May 2002 |
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By Janey Barton
It is my pleasure to announce the selection of Thomas N. Howker to be Deputy Director of the Bureau of Information Systems. I am very pleased to have someone of Tom's experience, knowledge and skill on our team. Prior to joining the Bureau of Information Services (BIS), Tom served as Director of the Systems and Programming Division within Maine Revenue Services (MRS). This division of 90 people is responsible for processing over 1.9 million tax returns and payments per year and for providing data processing support to Maine Revenue Services. In doing so, Tom has played a key role in improvements that have led to MRS providing electronic services to citizens that are among the best in the nation. Tom has also worked for AT&T supervising a programming unit and developing pricing programs for custom calling plans. Tom’s primary duties within the Bureau will be to continue to improve the delivery of information services to the State of Maine. Tom will assist me with the leadership and direction of the Bureau, direct all inter-divisional, bureau-wide efforts; and lead the customer service management program and customer satisfaction efforts. Tom will start at BIS on May 6th. Please join me in welcoming Tom. I am confident that he can assist in meeting the many challenges that are ahead for the Bureau, and in improving our services to our customers and the citizens of Maine. Dick Hinkley, Director of BIS |
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Looking Forward to the Challenge!Born in Massachusetts, Tom is a graduate of Purdue University with an
Associate of Science in Computer Science, a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering,
and a Master of Science in Management. Following his education, Tom moved to New Jersey
where he worked for AT&T as a staff associate/statistician, manager of programming,
and staff manager. In these rolls he developed and implemented computer simulation models
for use in strategic planning studies, did financial forecasting of telephone rates,
became a team leader of programming staff, and analyzed inter- and intra-state rate
changes. |
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Since 1987 Tom has held several positions with MRS, most
recently as the Director of Systems and Programming (since 1999). Tom led a programming
team responsible for developing and maintaining mainframe COBOL software initially on a
legacy Bull tax system. He then worked on the new MRS MATS (Maine Automated Tax System)
application, an IBM DB2 mainframe tax accounting system, and also developed an imaging
system for processing tax forms. As Director of the Systems and Programming Division, Tom managed 90 full time employees, including 20 programming and 9 systems test staff. During tax season his responsibilities also included direction of more than 50 temporary employees. The division is responsible for front-end processing functions for all MRS tax returns, which include developing and maintaining computer software for MRS, mailing, receiving, batching, imaging, data capture, and correction of tax returns. The division is also responsible for all cash handling and control activities for MRS, ($2.2+ billion annually). Tom says he is very proud of MRS’ record over the years of "steadily decreasing processing time for tax returns and increasing the speed at which refunds are generated and money is deposited." |
Tom is married to Lynn, a librarian for the Monmouth middle school. They have one son in high school, Neil, who plays basketball and soccer. Tom’s hobbies include scuba diving, downhill skiing, tennis, and golf. He is currently building an airplane (Vans RV-7). |
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