About Us

We are a group of passionate, dedicated individuals who work every day to raise money, awareness, and support for the cystic fibrosis community.

The Team

The Boomer Esiason Foundation’s staff is comprised of individuals with expertise in cystic fibrosis and program development, event planning and fundraising, marketing and communications, and management.

Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason is the most visible national figure in the fight against cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening, genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems of 30,000 children and adults in the United States. Throughout his career in professional sports and the media, Esiason has been a committed and active participant in many charitable causes, but he began focusing on cystic fibrosis in 1993 when his son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with the disease.In 1994, Esiason launched the Boomer Esiason Foundation, a dynamic partnership of leaders in the medical and business communities joining with a committed core of volunteers to heighten awareness, education and quality of life for those affected by cystic fibrosis, while providing financial support to research aimed at finding a cure. Since its inception, the Boomer Esiason Foundation has raised more than $115 million to support research toward a cure for CF, as well as programs directly benefiting the CF community.As the median age of survival for CF patients has increased to more than 37, and many are living well into their adult years, Esiason has turned his focus to bridging the gap between pediatric and adult CF care. The Boomer Esiason Foundation has led the charge to create state-of-the-art facilities for those adults afflicted with the disease. This effort began when the Foundation granted Columbia University Medical Center $6 million to establish the Gunnar Esiason Adult Cystic Fibrosis and Lung Program — a top adult CF care center that opened doors in 2009. Esiason and his Foundation have also instituted several educational, awareness and compliance programs aimed at the adult CF population.Esiason continues to attack the disease head-on and helps bring CF to the forefront of policy discussions throughout the country. He has traveled to Capitol Hill on multiple occasions and to various states to speak on behalf of the CF community.After an All-America career at the University of Maryland, Esiason enjoyed a 14-year career in the NFL as a quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals. He became a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history, including being named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1988. Esiason ended his career with 2,969 completions in 5,205 pass attempts (57 percent completion percentage) for 247 touchdowns and 37,920 yards.In 1995, the NFL honored Esiason with the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in recognition of his excellence on the football field as well as his charitable work through the Boomer Esiason Foundation and other organizations.Upon retiring from the NFL after the 1997 season, Esiason headed straight for the broadcast booth. He made his debut as a commentator for ABC’s NFL “Monday Night Football” and called “MNF” games for two years. For nearly a decade, he has called games for Westwood One/CBS Radio Sports’ “Monday Night Football” broadcasts with Marv Albert, Howard David, Dave Sims and Kevin Harlan. Esiason joined CBS Sports in 2002 as a studio analyst for “The NFL Today,” the CBS television network’s NFL pregame show. In 2007, he debuted as host of WFAN’s national weekday morning radio show, “Boomer and Carton in the Morning.” He also hosted “The Boomer Esiason Show” on Madison Square Garden Network. He is currently co-host of the “Boomer and Gio in the Morning” radio show.

Bob Plansker joined the Boomer Esiason Foundation as president and CEO in July 2021.  In this capacity, Bob is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and management of the organization.  His primary focus lies in ensuring the organization remains steadfast in its commitment to fulfilling its mission through assessment and measurement of BEF program impact.Bob’s journey to BEF spans across various domains, including law, finance, and military service.  He has drawn on his legal education and experiences to build a successful career in finance, and more recently he channeled this accumulated knowledge for the betterment of the nonprofit alumni foundation at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, his alma mater.Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bob has a deeply personal connection to the cause.  For over thirteen years, he has been a close friend of the Esiason family, witnessing firsthand the unpredictable and often distressing challenges posed by cystic fibrosis.  More recently, he has seen the incredible strides made in medical research, providing renewed hope for those living with CF to lead longer and healthier lives.  It is through these experiences that Bob is driven to amplify the positive impact of BEF, fostering advancements in the lives of individuals affected by cystic fibrosis and their families.  This mission is achieved through BEF’s continued dedicated efforts in research, advocacy, support, and services.Bob holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and earned a Juris Doctorate degree from St. John’s University School of Law.

Dave Rimington served as President of the Boomer Esiason Foundation from 1995 until 2021.Under his leadership, BEF has instituted and developed a variety of educational programs, scholarships and new media initiatives that have directly benefited cystic fibrosis communities nationwide. Unde r Rimington’s direction, the Foundation has taken an active approach to education, awareness and fundraising strategies through new media and technology channels. Programs such as the popular CF Podcast Series have served as a source of inspiration to many in the CF community.Prior to his arrival at BEF, Rimington enjoyed a prosperous football career at the University of Nebraska and in the National Football League. As a college player, Rimington was twice awarded the Outland Trophy, which recognizes the game’s most outstanding lineman. In the NFL, Rimington spent the 1983-1988 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before finishing his football career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1989.Widely considered to be the greatest center in the history of college football, Rimington continues to give back to his home state of Nebraska. Proceeds from such programs as the Rimington Football Camp and the annual Rimington Trophy banquet directly benefit the cystic fibrosis community in that state.Rimington, his wife, Lisa, and four children live in New York City.Favorite holiday: Christmas Favorite food: La Casa Pizza (Omaha, Nebraska!) Favorite pastime: Photography Favorite movie: Rocky Favorite music: Randy Travis Favorite color: Red Nickname: Dave One word to describe you: Dedicated Role Model: Winston Churchill Dream vacation: Australia and New Zealand Words of wisdom: Incremental improvement! Because of BEF: I go to bed at night with a sense of fulfillment

Jerry Cahill joined the Foundation as a CF volunteer in 2004 and founded Team Boomer later in 2005 – the athletic arm of the BEF dedicated to encouraging exercise among CF patients while simultaneously raising money for scholarships and organ transplant grants.Jerry was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in 1967 at the age of 11.Since being diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and undergoing 3 organ transplants, Jerry has dedicated his life to empowering others to succeed. He is the founder and current director of Team Boomer.In 1978, Jerry graduated with a bachelor's degree in educational psychology from the University of Connecticut where he was a student-athlete, competing at a high level in pole vault; and then embarked upon a successful twenty-seven-year career in New York's apparel industry, rising to Vice President of Sales for Joseph Abboud Sportswear.Jerry coaches pole vaulters and Iona Prep (New Rochelle, NY) and Fordham Prep (Bronx, NY) and resides in Brooklyn, NY