California State University Maritime Academy

Thomas C. Edwards is an exemplary leader of the California State University Maritime Academy community. He has more than 40 years of experience in the insurance and wealth management sectors with the majority of his career spent as vice president of major accounts for Foremost Insurance Group. Mr. Edwards graduated cum laude from San Francisco State University in 1972, and then went on to become a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard Reserve where he served until 1984.

Since retiring in 2006, Mr. Edwards has served in executive volunteer roles with many nonprofit organizations including the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) National Foundation. Mr. Edwards' service to the Boy Scouts began in 2005 with the local Mt. Diablo chapter. Ultimately he would become chairman of the Boy Scouts of America National Foundation, a position that he held until 2018. He currently serves as vice chair and trustee chairman. Mr. Edwards has been nominated for the prestigious Boy Scouts of America Silver Buffalo Award – the BSA's highest honor – in recognition of his extraordinary service to youth and the BSA. 

Mr. Edwards has been an outspoken champion of Cal Maritime. He has served on the California Maritime Academy Foundation (CMAF) board of directors since 2011 and is currently board president. In this leadership role, he has elevated the impact of the foundation with his expertise in board governance. In 2016, he signed the foundation's first-ever strategic plan and led planning for Cal Maritime's first comprehensive campaign. During Mr. Edwards' tenure on the board, the university's endowment grew from $3 million to more than $10 million.

Mr. Edwards's impact is apparent across the Cal Maritime community as well. The Edwards Leadership Development Program (ELDP), established in 2014 by Mr. Edwards and his wife Libby, prepares cadets for leadership roles at Cal Maritime and in their careers. The ELDP is built on a maritime model that embraces the history, tradition and importance of the seafaring chain of command, while promoting participation in modern team management practices. It is considered to be one of the finest maritime academy leadership development programs in the country.

In recognition of his distinguished career, his contributions to the community and his advocacy and support of Cal Maritime, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University Maritime Academy are proud to confer upon Thomas C. Edwards the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.