Tolman Geffs

Tolman Geffs has enjoyed a lifelong fascination with science. He holds BS and MS degrees in mechanical engineering, and in 1960 earned a California Professional Engineer's license. In 1961 Mr. Geffs headed a small Advanced Design group in the Missile Division of Douglas Aircraft. At age 27, he was the youngest engineer on the team. Per his plan, he graduated Harvard Business School with an MBA in 1964. Project management in the fields of Space Launch and Flight Safety occupied him for the next...See more

Tolman Geffs has enjoyed a lifelong fascination with science. He holds BS and MS degrees in mechanical engineering, and in 1960 earned a California Professional Engineer's license. In 1961 Mr. Geffs headed a small Advanced Design group in the Missile Division of Douglas Aircraft. At age 27, he was the youngest engineer on the team. Per his plan, he graduated Harvard Business School with an MBA in 1964. Project management in the fields of Space Launch and Flight Safety occupied him for the next decade. An entrepreneur at heart, he then founded a very successful publishing company which he took public, but remained CEO and majority shareholder until his retirement in October 1977. September 11, 2001 ended Mr. Geffs' retirement and culminated in the book THE UNSUNG PATRIOTS. Physically active, Mr. Geffs ran marathons, competed in Masters swimming, paddled outrigger canoes in competition and was an avid skier until spinal surgery put an end to those sports. He still single-hands a 69-foot ultra-light displacement sailboat. He and his wife, Jill, also enjoy ballroom dancing and traveling extensively. They reside in Southern California. See less