Meet the Staff
Tom Gehring was born in Cologne, Germany in 1953 and lived in Germany and France until he came to the United States in 1960. In 1975, he graduated from Rice University with a double major in electrical engineering and applied mathematics. He was commissioned an officer in the United States Navy in 1976, immediately after receiving his masters in electrical engineering.
Following two years of training, he served for 18 years at sea on four nuclear-powered attack submarines, two afloat staffs, and a surface ship. In his last at-sea tour, he implemented a number of quality and strategic improvements on a very large afloat industrial facility. In the final tour of a 22-year Navy career, he was the leader of the Pacific Fleet’s Quality Improvement Team.
After retiring from active duty in 1998, he joined Booz•Allen•Hamilton as a senior strategic consultant, working at the boardroom level with a number of high technology military organizations.
In 2000 and 2001, he was the pro bono lead consultant for the California Medical Association’s Re-engineering Task Force, a two-year project that produced revolutionary changes at one of the largest state medical associations in the United States.
He joined the San Diego County Medical Society (SDCMS) in September of 2001 as the chief executive officer. Under his leadership, SDCMS has been recognized as one of the most innovative medical societies in the United States, where physician membership — the critical measure of organizational health — has steadily grown. He is deeply involved with healthcare policy and legislation at the county, state, and federal levels.
Tom is the board chairman of the San Diego and Imperial counties chapter of the American Red Cross. He is a member of San Diego’s Downtown Rotary Club, where he has chaired the “Rotarians at Work” committee. He serves on the Public Policy, Legislative / Small Business, and Healthcare committees of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Tom is fluent in German and French.
He lives in Point Loma with his wife of 28 years, Dr. Catherine D. Moore, and their 14-year-old son, Ted.
James Beaubeaux has been living in San Diego since he was six months old.
In the 1970s, James began marketing himself as a professional entertainer. From 1974 to 1976 he performed family-oriented close-up magic at the Love’s Wood Pit BBQ chain throughout San Diego County. Every year, from 1971 to 1978, he and his wife, Carmen, performed at more than 250 San Diego city and county elementary schools. For each new school year, James designed a fresh, exciting show employing magic to teach basic principals about history, math, cultural diversity, reading skills, music, etc. Strangers often recognize James as someone they know “from somewhere.” Click here for a 1977 Channel 8 television news clip about James.
From 1978 to 1995, James and his wife owned and operated a bookstore in Lemon Grove that ultimately became a national mail-order business.
In 1989 James joined the Lamb’s Players Theatre board of directors. By 1992 he was working part time as their business manager. In 1995, he became the full-time CFO and administrative director, and held that position until his departure in 2005. During his tenure, Lamb’s Players Theatre went from a budget of $500,000 to $4.5 million, and the staff increased from 10 to more than 50.
In 2005, James became the COO/CFO for the San Diego County Medical Society.
In the past seven years, James has become an integral part of San Diego’s healthcare community. His involvement with CHIP (Community Health Improvement Partners) includes being on their Board of Directors, chair of the Executive Partners Committee, co-chair of the San Diego Childhood Obesity Initiative’s Healthcare Domain since it's inception, and co-chair of the San Diego County Health Care Needs Assessment Committee in 2010/11. James is the board of director’s treasurer for Mental Health America San Diego, an organization dedicated to promoting mental health, preventing mental disorders, and achieving victory over mental illnesses through advocacy, education, research, and service. Working with the San Diego County government, James serves on the Health Services Advisory Board, Healthy San Diego Advisory Board, Health Advisory Committee on Threats, Long Term Care Integration Project, and the Health Resources and Services Administration Steering CommitteeAlong with the CEO and the SDCMS team, James has contributed to the recognition of San Diego County Medical Society — by the California Medical Association — as one of the fastest growing medical societies in the United States and the second-largest medical society in California. James lectures on healthcare reform and its impact on physicians to the betterment of the community of San Diego.
In 1975, James married his childhood sweetheart, Carmen Perry. They recently celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary. He has a bachelors of arts in industrial technology from San Diego State University and a masters of science in information technology from Coleman University. He graduated summa cum laude and was valedictorian of his graduating masters class.
Contact Janet should you have questions about your SDCMS membership and member benefits, as well as if you have ideas or suggestions as to how SDCMS can increase the value of your membership and thus serve you better.
Contact Jen should you have questions about SDCMS committees and leadership, CMA councils and committees, SDCMS events, or how you can become more involved with your San Diego County Medical Society.
Contact Marisol should you have questions about your SDCMS membership status or dues, if you need to change or update your contact information, or if you need assistance with any political, legal, or economic advocacy issue you’re facing.
Contact Kyle should you have questions about San Diego Physician magazine, SDCMS’ e-newsletter, website, or any other SDCMS communications vehicle. As well, contact Kyle should you like to be contacted by San Diego County media for your expertise in certain medical issues.
