Insights and Perspectives

Workforce Development Month: An Interview with Geographic Solutions’ President and Founder, Paul Toomey

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 19:05:53 GMT

Every September, Workforce Development Month provides an opportunity to recognize the professionals, programs, partnerships, and technologies helping people build meaningful careers and businesses find the talent they need.

Created by the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) in 2005, Workforce Development Month was established to raise awareness about the importance of the workforce development industry to the national economy. Originally observed in May, the designation moved to September in 2012. Today, the month serves as an opportunity to celebrate workforce professionals while highlighting the role their work plays in strengthening individuals, businesses, and communities.

That role has become increasingly important as the workforce development system responds to changing labor markets, evolving technologies, new expectations from job seeker and employers, and continued pressure on public agencies to deliver more services with limited resources.

Few people have witnessed that evolution as closely as Paul Toomey, President and Founder of Geographic Solutions. Since founding the company in 1992, Toomey has watched technology reshape the way workforce services are delivered. His tenure in workforce development has spanned the emergence of the internet and online workforce systems to remote service delivery, integrated platforms, and most recently, artificial intelligence.

During a recording of an upcoming episode of Geographic Solutions’ VOScast Podcast, Toomey reflected on those changes and what they could mean for the future of workforce development.

Doing More With Less

When asked about the greatest challenge facing public workforce development today, Toomey pointed to one familiar to agencies across the country: resources.

“The biggest challenge facing the public sector workforce development industry today is lack of resources,” Toomey said, describing an environment in which agencies are increasingly being asked to do more with less.

That challenge places greater importance on finding ways to make existing resources, particularly staff time, go further.

Technology is increasingly part of that equation. Online service delivery can expand access without requiring every interaction to take place inside a physical workforce center. Automation can reduce repetitive administrative work. And, artificial intelligence can help workforce professionals complete time-consuming tasks more efficiently, leaving additional time for the human interactions that often matter most.

Toomey highlighted AI applications, such as VOS Sapphire AI, that can summarize extensive case notes and help staff develop Individualized Employment Plans. Rather than requiring a case manager to manually review dozens of notes or begin an employment plan from scratch, AI can create a starting point for the professional to review, refine, and apply to the participant’s circumstances.

Expanding When and Where Workforce Development Happens

Technology is also changing where workforce services can reach people.

One example Toomey highlighted is the use of workforce technology within correctional institutions. Traditionally, employment services for justice-impacted individuals starts after release. Through new approaches, those services now start before release.

“People within the correctional institution can look at their careers, their skills, jobs that are out there that might match those skills, and create a résumé, all within the confines of the correctional facility,” said Toomey.

It represents a broader shift in workforce development: meeting people where they are instead of waiting for them to find the system.

Building a More Connected Workforce System

Looking several years ahead, Toomey expects the continued expansion of digital services to be accompanied by another significant trend: greater integration.

Public workforce systems encompass numerous programs, each with its own requirements, services, and terminology. But the person seeking assistance may not know the difference between WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), unemployment insurance, and other programs.

Toomey sees the industry as moving toward a stronger “no wrong door” model in which technology helps guide individuals toward appropriate programs and services through a more unified experience.

“The system will guide you through that process,” Toomey said, envisioning a more seamless experience where individuals can access multiple programs without navigating separate, fragmented systems.

Making Workforce Services Easier to Find

The industry faces challenges that extend beyond technology to the issue of awareness.

Toomey noted that many people simply don’t realize the breadth of services available through the public workforce systems. Businesses, especially, can turn to workforce agencies for help identifying qualified candidates and connecting with talent, often at no cost to the employer.

“A lot of employers don’t realize the resources that are available to them, essentially free of charge, to help them find correct and appropriate talent,” said Toomey.
Services like these available to business owners makes Workforce Development Month not only valuable to the professionals in the field, but also to the entrepreneurs, the startup founders, and the small businesses trying to make it through their fiscal year.

The People Behind the Technology

Software and hardware alone doesn’t create workforce outcomes.

Behind every platform, program, career plan, training, referral, employer connection, and successful placement are workforce professionals applying their experience and judgement to help people move forward.

That’s why Toomey’s message to workforce professionals during Workforce Development Month is a simple one:

“Keep up the great work that you’re doing. It’s so important, and we really appreciate everything you do to help individuals and employers every day.”

As new technologies and challenges reshape the labor market, workforce professionals will continue serving as the connection between people searching for opportunity, employers searching for talent, and communities working toward stronger economies.

The tools may change, but the mission remains at the heart of workforce development.

Paul Toomey IT Scholarship Recognizes More Impressive Tech Talent

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 20:55:00 GMT

Each year, money is generously donated by Geographic Solutions’ employees to fund the Paul Toomey IT Scholarship. The amount is then matched by company Founder and President, Paul Toomey. With the money being collected through the end of November 2023, we sent out the call for applications early this year. The application process was open to the children of Geographic Solutions employees and all Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas County seniors. This year enough money was raised to award four scholarships – more than ever before! Each scholarship recipient received $3,800 which they can use towards credit hours, housing, or curriculum supplies.

Criteria for the scholarship included the demonstration of above-average achievement and motivation towards advancing his or her education in a computer-related field, outstanding service to their school and the community, involvement in extracurricular events, and admirable character. Each applicant was also required to submit an essay detailing what influenced them to pursue a computer-related field of study.

This year we received a record 32 applications! Geographic Solutions’ scholarship committee reviewed these applications thoroughly and chose the four students that best represented the criteria and Geographic Solutions' values.

The Four Recipients of the 2024 Paul Toomey IT Scholarship Are:


Justin Heyman – Lutz, FL Justin is a dedicated student at Steinbrenner High School. He serves as the Band Section Leader and the Metropolitan Ministries Event Planner/Coordinator. Additionally, he is an active member of the National Honor Society, has been recognized as a National Merit Commended Student, and received the Quincy Jones Musicianship Award. Justin plans to pursue a career in a computer-related field after high school, driven by his belief that this will allow him to make a meaningful impact in today’s world. Fun fact: Justin joined us many times for Take Your Kids to Work Day where he shadowed our tech team!		Christian Ramos – Riverview, FL Christian is an actively involved student at Riverview High school. He is involved in Buddy Baseball, a recreation baseball league for players with disabilities, the Raspberry Pi Club, a school computer programming club, and FCA, a faith-based athletic club. He excels academically, maintaining high honor roll status and holds a Microsoft Technology Certification. With a passion for technology, Christian plans to become a software developer, and has studied programming languages like Python, HTML, and CSS. Christian dreams of designing an educational software to support individuals with different types of disabilities.


Hanlin Zhang – Valrico, FL Hanlin Zhang is an accomplished and ambitious high school senior at Strawberry Crest High School. Hanlin’s academic success includes top placements in FBLA Computer Game and Simulation Design and MU Alpha Theta Calculus competitions. He is also certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist and Adobe Certified Professional. Hanlin contributes to the community by preparing and delivering meals to the homeless though the Portamento of Hope Cafe. He plans to pursue a career as a software engineer and will begin his journey at the University of Florida, where he has been accepted into the honors program.		Sarthak Gupta – Tampa, FL Sarthak, a senior at Strawberry Crest High School, has an impressive background, including winning first place in the Congressional App Challenge for developing Signify, an AI app that translates American Sign Language to text and speech. He is also a PSAT/NMSQT National Merit Finalist and a state finalist in the 2024 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition for his work on a pest-identifying robot. Sarthak is active in school and community activities. He is the captain of the Strawberry Crest Varsity Tennis Team and founded the Artificial Intelligence Club. He also has dedicated over 100 hours to Feeding Tampa Bay. Sarthak plans to pursue a career as a software engineer, aiming to contribute to impactful technological advancements.

Since the scholarship was established in 2016 and first awarded in 2017, the Paul Toomey IT Scholarship has helped 14 high-achieving high school seniors in their pursuit of computer-related degrees. Now, a total of 18 scholarships have been awarded! We want to thank everyone who donated to this worthy cause!

Congratulations to each of the recipients! And thank you to every employee that donated to help make their dreams a reality!

The Next Generation of Computer Science: Paul Toomey IT Scholarship Recipients

Mon, 01 May 2023 17:50:00 GMT

Each year, money is generously donated by our GSI employees to fund the Paul Toomey IT Scholarship. The amount is then matched by our company Founder and President Paul Toomey himself. With the money being collected through the end of November 2022, we sent out the call for applications early this year. The application process was open to children of Geographic Solutions employees, as well as all Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas County seniors. This year enough money was raised to award 4 scholarships – more than ever before! Each scholarship recipient received $3,400 which they can use towards credit hours, housing, or curriculum supplies.

Criteria for the scholarship included the demonstration of above-average achievement and motivation towards advancing his/her education in a computer-related field, outstanding service to their school and the community, involvement in extracurricular events, and admirable character. Each applicant was also required to submit an essay detailing what influenced them to pursue a computer-related field of study.

This year we received 22 applications. The GSI scholarship committee reviewed these applications thoroughly and chose the 4 students that best represented the criteria and Geographic Solutions' values.

The four recipients of the 2023 Paul Toomey IT Scholarship are:


Arossa Adhikary – Land O'Lakes, FL Arossa is graduating from Land O’Lakes high school where she was involved in student government, Future Business Leaders of America and Kode with Klossy, a coding organization for young women and non-binary individuals. After college, Arossa plans to work for the government in cybersecurity or computer science combining her desire to serve the public with her love of technology.		Michael See – Palm Harbor, FL Michael spent his high school career involved in many different clubs and organizations including founding East Lake High School’s Artificial Intelligence Club and the Drone club. Michael placed 1st in the People's Choice Awards' Robofest Online World Championship. His entry was an AI-based hand-controlled landing system for a medical delivery drone that navigates natural disasters. He plans to attend the University of Georgia’s Computer Systems Engineering program.


Evan Vargas – Tampa, FL Evan was the president of the STEM club at Tampa Catholic High School and also played on the Varisty Hockey team. Additionally, he spent many hours volunteering for various organizations throughout high school and was inducted into 8 different honor societies. Evan plans to attend the University of South Florida and pursue his dream of being a robotics engineer. Evan's dad Danny Vargas Jr. works here at Geographic Solutions as a Team Lead for the WF Interfaces Team.		Allen Ho – Land O’Lakes, FL Allen has an impressive background, interning for the United States Campaign for Burma and also started his own successful business, RePho, repairing smartphones, tablets and laptops. Allen plans to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology with hopes of starting his own sustainable consumer electronics engineering company in the future.

Congratulations to each of the recipients! And thank you to each and every employee that donated to help make their dreams a reality!

Our Response To The COVID-19 Outbreak

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 12:46:00 GMT

Here is an update from our president, Paul Toomey, about how we're responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.

At Geographic Solutions, our primary focus is on the health, safety, and well-being of our clients, users, and employees. We are closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation as it unfolds and continue to direct our business decisions with this focus as we work together through these unprecedented times. During this time, I wanted to reach out and update you on how we are approaching the situation at Geographic Solutions:

Service to Our Clients and Users
It is critical that we continue supplying the same level of service and support upon which our clients and users depend. We are already seeing an increase in traffic on our websites, and we are adding hardware and network resources to ensure the continued performance of all the sites that we host.

For those sites where we process unemployment claims, there is already a significant increase in initial claims. For example, in Louisiana 291 initial claims for unemployment were submitted on March 10, 2020, while 11,304 initial claims were filed one week later on March 17, 2020. We are working with our Unemployment Insurance (UI) clients to take actions to accommodate the increased volume with actions that include:

• Waiving and modifying of work search requirements
• Waiving of waiting weeks
• Adding COVID-19 questions to claim forms
• Relief of employer charges

We are also ready to help enact any new Federal UI legislation, as it is passed. This includes all aspects of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

We understand that several of our clients have transitioned their employees to work from home, and that several more are considering this move. Our software fully supports remote working and allows agency staff to operate anywhere there is an Internet connection. The only exception to this flexibility is the handling of physical documents such as verification forms or the scanning of incoming correspondence. We are here to help with any challenges. Please feel free to contact us if you need assistance in setting up your remote operations.

Our Operations
On March 11, 2020, we enacted our Infectious Disease Outbreak Response Plan. Most of our employees are now working from home with company-supplied laptops and remain connected to both our phone system and servers through our Virtual Private Network (VPN). Under this plan, we are able to operate business as usual. Some of our key Administration, Operations, and Systems team members are still onsite and adhering to best practices for social distancing.

Please note that our main office phone line, 727-786-7955, is operational in order to keep the lines of communication open between staff and our clients. Our Network Operation Center, Help Desk, and Technical Support staff are all available to support you 24/7.

Travel Restrictions
While under the current national emergency we are restricting all employee travel. Whenever possible, we will be conducting activities, meetings, and training via web conference, in lieu of on-site interactions.

Our employees permanently located at a client site will follow any business continuity guidelines provided by the client or state agency.

Workforce Technology Conference
At this point, we are moving forward with our annual Workforce Technology Conference, which begins on June 15, 2020. We will, however, be monitoring the ever-evolving situation and our conference planning team will notify attendees if there is any change in plans.

Moving Forward
As new developments emerge regarding COVID-19, we will keep you updated on our response.

I want to personally thank you for your support and understanding during this difficult time. Please feel free to contact me at PToomey@geosolinc.com if you have any questions or concerns.

Take care and stay safe,
Paul Toomey
President

Igniting Future Tech Leadership

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 12:07:00 GMT

Each spring, President Paul Toomey awards a scholarship to a Pinellas County high school graduating senior who has excelled in pursuing a computer-related degree.

The scholarship is initially funded by employee contributions and matched by Paul Toomey himself. The scholarship award can be used to pay for credit hours, housing, and curriculum-approved supplies. This year, the recipient, Justin Walker of Lakewood High School, received a scholarship totaling $3,000.

To be considered for the award, each finalist must show above-average achievement and motivation towards advancing their education in a computer-related field.

Walker will pursue a degree in computer programming or application development from the University of North Florida. An exemplary leader throughout his time in high school, Justin shares our appreciation for technological development.