RETIRED AIR Force Col. Jim Jolliffe married his high school sweetheart, Liz, 44 years ago in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He did not know then that decades later, they would be happily settling in Middle Tennessee. The couple moved to Tullahoma in 2007 when Jim received orders to command a test group at Arnold Air Force Base, and he retired here as a colonel in 2010. The couple loved the area so much that they chose to stay even after his retirement, and they settled in north Franklin County.
“We loved this area and have built a strong ‘family by choice’ here,” Jim said.
Franklin County provided proximity to their grandsons in Ohio, and also put them closer to a longtime friend from their Germany days who had since retired in Murfreesboro.
Jim’s Air Force career lasted 26 years and involved working with the nation’s most critical aerospace and defense programs. He was given crucial assignments everywhere he was stationed: Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, Holloman Air Force Base, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and Stuttgart, Germany.
Jim’s desire to understand how things work made him an excellent candidate for Air Force testing. At Wright-Patterson, he served as Test Integration Lead on the Global Hawk program, and he later oversaw the B-1, B-2, B-52, and F-117 programs as Deputy Wing Director of the Bomber Systems Acquisition Wing. In this role, Jim led the rigorous process of testing military systems before they ever reached the field.
“When I learned there was a business-like mission called test and evaluation, I was hooked,” he said. “I had great mentors throughout my career. I tried to learn from everyone I encountered.”
His career finally brought him to Arnold Air Force Base, where he commanded the 704th Test Group until his retirement. It was a calling that allowed him access to so many wonderful people, projects, and exciting innovations.
“You truly get to see the entire aerospace industry as a tester,” Jim said.
Post-retirement, Jim has continued serving the Arnold Air Force Base community as the general manager for Beyond New Horizons (BNH), a joint venture between Astrion and Fluor Corporation created to support Arnold Engineering Development Complex’s (AEDC) Test Operations and Sustainment mission.
This government contractor employs approximately 1,800 people across 13 counties, contributing to the workforce opportunities in this area. BNH also has employees supporting AEDC in four other states — Maryland, California, New Mexico, and Ohio. The aerospace testing conducted at AEDC supports national defense decisions, so Jim was a logical choice for the general manager role at BNH as a retired military colonel.
“We have an inclusive culture enforcing the need to be world-class performers as the stewards of the nation’s world-class test facilities,” Jim said.
He has additionally served on the Arnold Community Council to advocate for the base, its mission, and the national defense testing network, taking cases directly to Congressional representatives when needed.
“Community advocacy is crucial to maintain strong support for the mission across the nation,” he said.
When he is not engaged in his work, Jim is active in his church and other community efforts alongside his wife, Liz. The Jolliffes give generously of their time and resources through their church, the HandsOn Science Center, the Rotary Club, and First Friday Jam Night, where Jim enjoys playing music.
“The Air Force core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do are great life mottos as well,” Jim said. “ When we retired, these core values remained. By offering your time, talent, and treasure to others, you add value to their lives.”
Liz stays busy serving in PEO, a women’s education organization, and has served for many years in the AEDC Women’s Club. Jim said none of what he has accomplished would have been possible without his partner, wife, and friend.
“She’s my best friend,” he said. “I owe her everything I have earned throughout my adult life.”
Jim and Liz have also teamed up to start a woodworking and crafts business. Jolliffe Acres Woodworking and More! LLC sells Liz’s handmade baskets, stained glass, and sewn handicrafts as well as Jim’s woodworking projects. Jim has always enjoyed woodworking and is currently the president of the Tennessee Valley Woodworkers Club.
The Jolliffes are glad to invest in this community and are happy to call this area home. They have a wonderful family, great friends, meaningful work, and many groups, ministries, and projects they enjoy here.
“Liz and I have two grown sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren. We are grateful and blessed to live in Southern Middle Tennessee within the great United States of America,” Jim said. GN
