National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) - Acting Director

Role at CDC

Fred Thomas III serves as the acting director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In this role, he leads the Center's efforts to prevent injuries and violence and to translate science into action that protects the health and safety of people across the United States. He provides executive oversight of NCIPC's programs and priorities, helping guide investments, partnerships, and strategies that address critical public health challenges such as overdose, suicide, and violence prevention.

In his permanent role as Deputy Director for Management, Operations, Communications, and Policy, Mr. Thomas leads the Center's core business and operational functions. He oversees budget and resource/grants management, workforce strategy, communications, and policy coordination ensuring that NCIPC's scientific work is supported by strong infrastructure and aligned to deliver measurable public health impact.

Previous experience

Mr. Thomas has 20 years of experience in federal service, with a career focused on strengthening organizations to better deliver on their missions. Since joining CDC in 2016, he has held several senior leadership roles. He previously served as Deputy Director for the Client Services Office in CDC's Office of Human Resources, where he helped modernize and improve workforce services across the agency. He also served as Deputy Management Officer in the Office of Financial Resources, where he led strategic planning, workforce development, and administrative operations.

Education

Mr. Thomas earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Bethune-Cookman University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also holds an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School.