Thomas S. Elliott is the Master Trainer and Training Program Manager (TPM) for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) National Highway Institute (NHI).  Tom has over 30 years of training experience with expertise in adult learning.  He has developed, implemented, managed, and authorized Federal Government trainings with distance learning technologies.  He is considered a visionary for in-person and online courses, developing over 500 hours of multimedia programs for various industries and clients, for government and non-government organizations.

Trailblazer and Accomplishments

Tom’s first assignment began while serving in the United States Navy.  He developed training and taught young recruits on their safety roles, equipment usage, and techniques on board their nuclear-powered submarines.  Over the years, his career has evolved from face-to-face training, to becoming one of the pioneers in using new technology and methods to meet adult learners’ needs. 

One of Tom’s most prestigious accomplishments was leading NHI in the designing and developing of Web-based Training (WBT).  In 2011, this team used new and emerging technology to provide this training for the transportation community.  NHI was one of the first Federal Government departments that provided a virtual learning platform for participants and now WBTs are one of the primary course types of NHI.

According to former NHI Director, Rick Barnaby, “Tom Elliott is the best thing that ever happened to NHI”.

Tom also led the development of the online handbook:  Learners First: Creating Engaging and Interactive Learning Experiences, designed to provide techniques to instructors, project managers, subject matter experts, and instructional designers.  According to NHI’s TPM Lead, Stacey Caston, “Tom has a passion for learning and is generous with regard to sharing his training development and delivery knowledge with his colleagues at NHI. He was able to lean into that passion via the development of the Learners First Handbook, designed to provide instructors, project managers, subject matter experts, and instructional designers with tools and techniques to help make a course more interactive and engaging.”

A recent project led by Tom in 2021, resulted in a new training at NHI: Where Highways Meet Rails: Crossing Safety (FHWA-NHI-380126). This unique WBT helps planners, engineers, and other practitioners responsible for the design, construction, or maintenance of highway-rail crossings navigate the planning and funding process and maximize the safety impact of their projects. This 12-week training, which helps states better allocate funds to improve safety at railway-highway crossings (i.e., $200+ million), combines independent, self-paced elements with interactive learning. The innovative format expands the depth of material that participants can study and maintains opportunities for engagement, both with a virtual instructor and with industry peers.

According to Tom’s former colleague and friend, Carolyn Eberhard, “Tom’s passion for creating an atmosphere for Adult Learning is remarkable.  As a Training Program Manager, he ensured that the team that provides design, development, and delivery of training for NHI, met high standards.  Whether your role is a Subject Matter Expert, Instructional System Designer, or the Instructor delivering the training, the focus was always on top notch learning that would make the transportation community a safer place to work and live.”

NHI Program Area Master Trainer and Instructional Designer

Tom manages various program areas within NHI from Environment to Highway Safety to Planning. As a certified trainer in 2005 and then a Master Trainer two years later, Tom is the only TPM that is also an Instructional Designer, providing a complete understanding of training development.

According to NHI Director, Tom Harman, “There has been a paradigm shift in the world of adult learning in both delivery methods and learner expectations. Tom Elliott’s passion and tenacious curiosity are a significant force in NHI’s evolution to meet this change. He is constantly learning and sharing his discoveries to make us all better. I consider Tom both my adult learning mentor and a friend.”

Tom always spearheads new methods for making training available and relevant.  The transportation community and stakeholders have certainly benefited from Tom’s visionary ideas and unwavering dedication to developing and delivering engaging, innovative, and learner-centered training.

Master Instructional System Designer, Sobia Nawaz, states, “It has been creatively and intellectually invigorating to work with Tom, a kind genuine human being, great mentor and with whom I have laughed even as we have solved problems! Under his innovative leadership, both I and NHI have grown in unprecedented ways that has changed the face of trainings.”

Our Farewell to Thomas S. Elliott

NHI is forever grateful for the extraordinary experience, guidance and direction Thomas S. Elliott has provided over these many years with NHI, the Department of Transportation and the transportation community at large and extends our well wishes in all his future endeavors.

The transportation community and stakeholders have certainly benefited from Tom’s visionary ideas and unwavering dedication to developing and delivering engaging, innovative, and learner-centered training. He will be truly missed!