De Feis Joins TOC as Chief Operating Officer

On October 7, 2002, George L. De Feis joined The Objectivist Center in the newly created post of chief operating officer. In that capacity, he will oversee all of the center's operations, administration, general management, and finance, including fundraising, membership development, Web site development, event planning, and the production of Navigator.

De Feis has twenty years of professional experience in the management of nonprofit associations, education, international affairs, and engineering. He has held executive positions with the Technology Utilization Foundation, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He also served as the executive director of Operation Enterprise, the young adult division of the American Management Association, where he introduced new projects to promote career skills, career guidance, and lifelong learning. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, Association of Fundraising Professionals, New York Academy of Sciences, American Society of Civil Engineers, and numerous cultural and educational organizations.

In 2000, De Feis was recruited to be the executive director and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chess Federation, with the mission of bringing profitability to that organization after it had lost money during the four previous years. At the USCF, he focused on a pricing strategy, "branding" initiative, publishing venture, membership drive, and sponsorship campaign, as well as tournament management and a unified marketing approach. Within one year, De Feis had put USCF in the black, launched an online site for playing chess, increased membership, and negotiated an agreement for the U.S. Championship worth over $1 million.

At TOC, De Feis said, he would begin by focusing his attentions on enhancing revenues; reorganization; reaching agreements with other, related groups; and increasing the circulation and advertising in Navigator.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, De Feis holds a B.E. in civil engineering from the Cooper Union and an M.B.A. in finance from Baruch College. He has been pursuing a doctorate in business policy and strategy at the CUNY Graduate Center, as well as teaching business and mathematics at Pace University, Baruch College, Monroe College, Touro College, and Iona College. He has also published articles on management, global-business issues, technology, and environmental questions.

De Feis resides in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, with his wife, Annmarie, and their children, Constance (10), George (8), and William (6).