CAP Foundation Appoints Retired CEO as Trustee

The Civil Air Patrol Foundation has appointed Karl Geng, a recognized corporate leader, as its newest trustee.

Geng, a resident of Naples, Florida, was chosen Wednesday to serve on the foundation, intended to be a repository of gifts meant for investment in CAP’s future. His service on the 15-member board begins immediately, said Paul Graziani, foundation chair.

“Mr. Geng will be a strong asset to our trustees,” Graziani said. “He is an exceptional addition to our leadership and offers great business acumen. We look forward to his expertise as we continue to build the foundation to support scholarships for cadets and provide for CAP’s programs and missions.”

Geng retired in 1998 as president and CEO of Siemens Communications, a corporation that included the former IBM ROLM Communications and several other companies, to form a multibillion-dollar company headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

Before that, he held a number of international management positions in logistics, business planning, services, manufacturing and general management, including with IBM Germany, Honeywell and Computervision Corp.

“I really see this as a pivotal time in planning for the future of the CAP Foundation,” Geng said. “It’s a mission I care greatly about and look forward to the meaningful work that’s ahead.”

An avid aviation enthusiast, Geng is an active private pilot with multi-engine, instrument airplane and helicopter ratings and regularly flies his own aircraft. He served for many years in Civil Air Patrol’s Advanced Technology Group before retiring as a CAP lieutenant colonel in 2010.

Geng previously served on the Collier County Airport Authority Board in Florida and was appointed state director of the Air Force Military Auxiliary Radio System for Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In addition, he is a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, participates in the National Communication System for Homeland Security and enjoys amateur radio.

Kristina Jones, CAP’s chief of philanthropy and CAP Foundation president/executive director, said the foundation has a three-fold purpose — “to provide general support for Civil Air Patrol and its programs and missions, to provide direct financial support to CAP’s operations and to provide scholarships to CAP members.”

She added, “Mr. Geng will be an important addition to our trustees as we continue to build a stronger future. Each of our trustees bring a diversity of experience, and we are thrilled Mr. Geng agreed to serve.”

Other foundation trustees include Graziani, CEO of AGI and a former member of CAP’s Board of Governors; Col. Raj Kothari, managing director at Cascade Partners and commander of the Michigan Wing; Lt. Col. Richard Flowers, retired attorney and member of CAP’s Florida Wing; retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Leon Johnson; Stacey Bechdolt, senior counsel at the Moak Group; retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Kevin McLaughlin, president of McLaughlin Global Associates; and Martha King, co-chair of King Schools