John A. Tompkins was born and raised in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. He is a graduate of the Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA and the University of Michigan.

From 1976 to 1993, he worked with with United Airlines in various management positions, primarily in their Chicago headquarters in Sales and Marketing.

From 1993 to now, John is the owner of Tompkins World Travel Services, located in Sausalito, CA.