John Ballard's 15-year tenure at TCI International involved roles in finance, operations, and project management, culminating in his appointments as CFO and later CEO. After the company's acquisition by SPX Corporation in 2001, he spent over two decades as a Business Unit President, leading diverse global businesses within aerospace & defense, diversified technologies, and industrial sectors. His most recent role at SPX was leading the global operations of their Communication Technologies and Aids to Navigation platforms.
Since his retirement in 2022, John is board chair of Santa Cruz Local and co-founded Lost Coast Ventures, a non-profit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship on the North coast. Giving back is also a key aspect of John's life; he and his wife Kathy established the Ballard Scholarship in 2010, and John actively participated in Humboldt's Boldly Rising campaign. He was also a vital contributor and donor in launching StartUp Humboldt, a business accelerator/incubator in Arcata, CA.
John holds a Bachelor's degree from Humboldt State University and a Master's degree from Colorado State University. He currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area and enjoys cycling, adventure motorcycle riding, and skiing in his leisure time.
