The Board

The Board of Directors includes leaders in the business community who generously give of their time and resources in support of BEF’s critical mission. These dedicated people may come from all walks for life, but they all agree on one thing: they’ll do whatever it takes to beat cystic fibrosis.

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.

Francis X. Bolte – known by friends and family as Frank – was introduced to the Boomer Esiason Foundation in 2014 and quickly, but quietly, became a major supporter of its mission to assist the cystic fibrosis community. After spending time with Boomer, he realized that BEF was all about serving the CF community – not about publicity or superficiality – which moved Frank, BDP International, and the entire Bolte family to become even more involved.“I am so impressed that Boomer, Cheryl, Gunnar, and Sydney have dedicated so much of their lives to helping the entire cystic fibrosis community. To see how far the Foundation has come and still how far it must go to find a cure has inspired me in so many ways,” said Frank when discussing his path to becoming the BEF MVP. “I listened as Gunnar took the stage last year and was in awe that a young man would carry the burden that he does so stoically and positively. It is truly a testament to his parents and the family values they have taught him.”The Bolte family are no strangers to philanthropic endeavors. In 1996, Ryan Christopher Bolte, Frank’s nephew, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and passed away at the age of eight. The family immediately created a foundation to help children in need. Because of his dedication to charity, Frank was also named Make-A-Wish New Jersey’s Humanitarian of the Year during the nonprofit’s 35th anniversary gala, which helped raise more than $1.7 million.Frank served as BDP International’s Chief Administration Officer, the family-first and values-based company that his father started with a typewriter and a $1,000 home improvement loan, for more than 35 years. He oversaw 5,000 employees, 148 offices, and business in 40 countries, but what he loved most was serving the community and the many charitable causes that BDP supported.And today, now retired, Frank serves as the President of the Bolte Family Foundation as a full-time philanthropist and is able to focus on his wife, their six children, and the causes closest to his heart.Recent press includes:<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLQQ78QsG4E" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dick’s Sporting Goods “Run For” Campaign – online and national tv exposure</a><a href="http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/men-action/201306/cystic-fibrosis-cant-hold-back-marathon-runner-steve-bell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yahoo’s The Post Game Feature Article</a>

Steven M. Bowman is Managing Member, Studio House Capital LLC and Managing Director USA, Inspirus Sport Management. Steve is the former President of Aesir Capital Management. Prior to Aesir, he was Managing Director, Global Head of Investor Client Management at J.P.Morgan Securities Inc. Before joining J.P.Morgan in 2008, Steve was part of the Citigroup organization for more than 20 years, most recently as Managing Director, Global Head of Hedge Fund Services and Global Futures. He also served as Citi’s Global Head of Fixed Incomes Sales and Research for more than 10 years. Steve was introduced to the Foundation in 1997 by BEF stalwarts Billy Heinzerling, Bob DiFazio, Bobby Moore and Brent Ziegler. A member of the BEF Board of Directors since 2003, Steve has been a constant and committed fundraiser who aggressively searches out ways to support the Foundation’s battle against cystic fibrosis. Steve graduated from Brown University in 1982. In addition to his work for BEF, he serves as VP of the executive committee of the Board of Directors of the Brown University Sports Foundation and is a member of Brown University Advisory Committee on Athletics. Steve resides in Austin TX & Newport RI, with his wife, Ellen. They have two sons, Max, Portland OR and Mitch, Wash. DC.

Andrea is one of the founders of Cardea Group, a boutique recruitment agency specialized in the alternative asset management space. She began recruiting in 2005 in Boston and moved to New York City in 2006. In 2009, she and her then colleague decided to create their own agency with the ambition to restore integrity and trust to the recruitment process within the investment management space. Over the past 10+ years, Cardea Group has elevated the standard of excellence in recruiting and become the trusted partner to hedge funds, private equity firms, family offices, asset managers, and venture capital funds across the nation. Andrea’s excellence in the recruitment industry is highlighted through her admittance into The Pinnacle Society, an elite consortium of 80 industry-leading recruiters (fewer than 1% of producers in the country) who have a history of results. Prior to finding her passion in recruitment, Andrea graduated from Johns Hopkins University with her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Applied Mathematics & Statistics. She was a starting player for the varsity soccer team for four years and served as captain her junior and senior years. In 2020, Andrea was asked to join the board of the Blue Jays Unlimited, a group of alumni and staff established to support Johns Hopkins Athletics, and she currently serves as an ambassador representing the women’s soccer team. Andrea joined the BEF board in 2021 after serving as a member of BEF’s Young Professional Committee since 2012.

Brian Fleishhacker is a Managing Director in BTIG’s Credit Fixed Income group. Prior to that he was a Vice President in Cantor Fitzgerald’s Fixed Income division, and was a part of the organization for twelve years. Before his Sales & Trading role on the High Yield Bond desk there, he spent over three years working directly alongside the Chairman and CEO, who happens to be an avid supporter of the foundation and former Booming Celebration MVP. Brian graduated from Haverford College with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He was a four-year starter on the men’s varsity lacrosse team, served as captain his junior and senior years, and helped lead them in their most successful years in the team’s history. Brian’s connection to the foundation runs deep. He and Gunnar have been best friends since 1993. He has volunteered for the foundation throughout his life and upon graduating from college, he was invited to join the Young Professionals Committee. He was an active leader in the group and participated in numerous Team Boomer races and events, while raising money and awareness for the cause. In particular, he ran two New York City marathons and raised over $30,000 for the foundation in his last effort. Brian joined the BEF board in 2021.

Joe Gurrera has been at the forefront of New York’s gourmet revolution for decades. Known for Citarella, his successful group of epicurean markets, Joe also owns Lockwood & Winant (one of the most influential wholesale companies at New York’s iconic Fulton Fish Market) and hospitality seafood purveyor, Meat Without Feet, which supplies seafood to hundreds of top chefs and restaurants.Joe’s passion for food started when he was a boy working at his family’s fish shop in Greenwich Village. In 1983, Joe purchased Citarella — then a small, stand-alone seafood shop on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Joe’s commitment to quality was clear, helping him attract knowledgeable experts for his team, each of whom afforded him a new opportunity to expand his reach within the food community.Amidst Citarella’s growth, Joe continued to frequent the Fulton Fish Market, strengthening his ties there. In 1985, he purchased Lockwood & Winant. Serving his retail customers by day and his wholesale customers by night — Joe transformed his seafood shop into a full-service gourmet market with 7 locations. Moreover, he established long-standing relationships with trusted fishermen and farmers that he continues to expand to this day.Today, Joe is an industry leader, influencing gourmet trends and guiding a team of more than 1,000 employees.  His 80,000-square foot Citarella commissary is open 24/7 and provides the fresh, handmade and private label Citarella products to all the stores.Joe remains involved in every aspect of the businesses, from sourcing and importing the best seafood to developing new recipes to the selection and sourcing of the best products to establishing infrastructure and expanding locations.Always in pursuit of “the next thing”, Joe is now working to grow his online seafood store, <a href="http://citarella.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">citarella.com</a>, shipping fresh seafood anywhere in the continental US. In addition, Joe is preparing to launch Citarella’s newest NYC  location (and liquor store) at Hudson Yards in March 2019.A native New Yorker, Joe completed his Bachelor’s Degree in finance at St. John’s University in Queens, NY, and remains active in the community supporting organizations like Citymeals on Wheels and City Harvest. He has been honored by the American Cancer Society and the Long Island Hospice among numerous other charities. He’s also an active board member of several organizations including the New Fulton Fish Market Cooperative at Hunt’s Point, the Columbus Citizens Foundation and a Fellow at the Culinary Institute of America.Joe’s dedication defines him. He is respected for it, successful because of it, and motivated by it. It is what drives him forward and onto each new adventure. Or, as Joe himself explains it: “Passion. I am where I am today because I truly love what I do.”

William Heinzerling is Managing Member, KR Capital, LLC. He previously served as Head of the Fixed Income Capital Markets Group at Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., Inc. Billy has over three decades of experience in the securities industry, during which time he has held numerous senior positions at major Wall Street firms. Previously he served as Managing Partner and a founding member of CapRio Management LLC, a New York-based investment advisory firm, and as a Consultant to Korn/Ferry International, a Los Angeles-based global provider of talent management solutions. From 1984 to 2005, Billy was with Citigroup/Smith Barney. In 1995, he was appointed to the position of Managing Director and Co-Head of the Global Fixed Income Division, and later headed up the transition committee between Salomon Smith Barney and Citigroup. During his tenure at Citigroup, Billy held the following positions: Head of Global Futures, Global Short-Term Products, Retail Mid-Market Sales & Trading, Global Finance, and Prime Brokerage, Active Board Member of the Boomer Esiason Foundation for cystic fibrosis. He also served as a Director of the Futures Industry Association. Billy graduated summa cum laude from St. Joseph’s College with a Bachelor of Arts in economics.Billy became involved in the Boomer Esiason Foundation through relationships with his business partners and BEF supporter Brent Ziegler, all of whom worked at Citigroup. Billy is always quick to sponsor fundraising events, and he also encourages others in the business community to become involved and support the Foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Robert Milkovich serves as the CEO for rand* construction company, a privately-owned, award winning national commercial general contractor that specializes in tenant interiors, building renovations/repositioning, retail and restaurant construction. The company was founded in 1989 in Washington, DC and grew nationally with offices in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas and Denver. The company consistently generates over $400 million of revenues annually and has over 250 employees nationwide. He has over 30 years of experience in many aspects of commercial real estate, specifically in leadership roles.Previously, Milkovich served as the CEO and Trustee of First Potomac Realty Trust (FPO). First Potomac was a self-managed, publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on owning and operating, developing and redeveloping commercial real estate in the Washington, DC region. The portfolio was over nine million square feet and was sold to RMR in late 2017. The transaction represents a 38% TSR for the investors during Milkovich’s leadership.Prior to joining First Potomac Realty Trust, Milkovich served as the President of Spaulding & Slye Investments, a comprehensive real estate services and investment company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of JLL. Milkovich headed the Investment Committee and developed the company’s investment strategies, structured joint-ventures and sourced new business opportunities. During his time at the company, the portfolio consistently generated Value-add to Opportunistic returns with above market equity multiples.Milkovich served as Region Director of Archon Group, L.P., an investment and management arm of the Merchant Banking Division of Goldman Sachs. There he spearheaded acquisitions and asset management for the Merchant Bank, Special Situations Group, and other parts of the firm. In addition, he was responsible for underwriting structured finance and debt transactions for Goldman Sachs. Previously, he was Market Managing Director for CarrAmerica, a then publicly traded real estate investment trust headquartered in Washington, DC, while working in Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake City and other parts of the country. Primary responsibilities included overseeing asset management, development activities, portfolio investments and acquisition efforts.Milkovich graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Maryland. He attended the university on a full scholarship. In 2010, he completed the Real Estate Executive Seminar: Capital Markets, Innovative Ventures, and Business Strategy course at Harvard Business School. He currently serves as a Director and Investment Committee member for the University System of Maryland Foundation. Milkovich is on the Board and Membership Committee of the Economic Club of Washington, DC. He served on the Office Development Council of the Urban Land Institute and is a past President of The Real Estate Group in Washington, DC.

Stephen C. Mueller is a Managing Director with Intact insurance Accident & Health. His business focuses on the Transportation, Sharing Economy and Specialty Health segments, providing insurance solutions for motor carrier, courier and technology platform companies, and their independent contractors, as well as self-insured employers. Prior to joining Intact, Steve was the Global Head of Sales for Zurich Financial Services, focused on large corporate property and casualty business. Previously, he held various senior level sales, marketing and underwriting positions with Zurich and UNUM within the employee benefits, transportation and medical stop loss segments. Steve is a published author, having written numerous articles on identity management services, emerging benefit and risk management trends, transplant insurance, and travel assistance services. Steve makes his home in Basking Ridge, N.J., with his wife, Jen, and has three grown children. In addition to his personal commitment to BEF, Intact became a Foundation sponsor in 2007. Steve is also a founder and former Chairman of Ridge Youth Sports, Inc., a non-profit organization delivering sports programs for children.

In the sweltering Mid-Atlantic summer heat of 1995, Kevin Plank helped lead his teammates through grueling two-a-day workouts as special teams captain for the University of Maryland football program. Tired of changing his sweat-soaked cotton T-shirts over and over again throughout the day, he was inspired to create a better kind of T-shirt—one that could wick sweat and keep athletes cool, dry, and light.Upon graduating from Maryland in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Plank started to turn his idea into a reality and, as a result, began redefining the way athletes dress. That year, he went on a mission to find the perfect fabric—performance synthetics—and combined it with an athlete’s perfect fit—compression. What started out as one tight shirt ultimately led to the launch of Under Armour (NYSE: UA) as the high performance answer to the sweat drenched cotton dilemma.After 19 years of outfitting athletes with the world’s most innovative performance apparel, footwear, and equipment, Plank now oversees a global company of over 9,000 employees with total revenues of over $3 Billion. Under Armour athletic performance products are sold globally and are worn by athletes at all levels on playing fields all over the world. In addition, the Under Armour Connected Fitness platform powers the world’s largest digital health and fitness community through a suite of applications: UA Record, MapMyFitness, Endomondo and MyFitnessPal. True to his vision Plank and Under Armour are committed to empowering athletes everywhere…and they are just getting started.

Jim Regan and DCU have been supporters of the Boomer Esiason Foundation and its mission for over 15 years. As he engaged more with BEF, it became apparent that his interests were focused on expediting the short term and long term progress of our programs and investments in science.Jim and his team at DCU have been “all hands in” when it comes to BEF and the cystic fibrosis community. Whether producing a company event to benefit the Foundation or supporting current events and programs, the benchmark has continued to rise.DCU is one of the largest credit unions in the country, serving over 750,000 members throughout the United States.  Jim has been with DCU for the past 27 years.  Prior to joining Digital, Jim performed and directed audits of financial institutions with Wolf & Company, P.C.Jim graduated from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell, receiving a B.S. in Business Administration.  Mr. Regan currently serves as an advisory board member of Manning School of Business at University of Massachusetts Lowell.  He is also a member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

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

Ron Rubin is the President, Vice-Chair and Chief Culture Officer of The Colony Group. For over 30 years, Ron has endeavored to expand his innovative wealth management and tax advisory services to meet the diverse and changing needs of his clients—from initially providing high-end tax and financial planning services to including a more expansive wealth management offering with investment management, family office services and financial management for businesses and non-profit organizations.Ron founded Bridgewater Wealth & Financial Management, a boutique wealth management firm based in Bethesda, MD in 1996, where he built a culture of inclusion and opportunity that was recognized as a Best Place to Work in Washington, D.C. Over the years, Ron attracted other dedicated financial professionals with a similar philosophy of providing clients with exceptional expertise and service. To continue this rich tradition, he and his Bridgewater Wealth partners merged with The Colony Group at the beginning of 2018.As the firm’s Chief Cultural Officer, Ron draws on his training as a Certified Conscious Leadership Coach to cultivate an open, inclusive and trusting work environment through conscious team building. He is personally committed to the enrichment of the professional and personal lives of everyone at The Colony Group, and through them, to our clients.Ron is a graduate of the University of Maryland. He is a founding board member, treasurer and CFO of The Boomer Esiason Foundation. Ron is on the board of Montgomery Hospice and serves as Chair of their Investment Committee. He is also a member of the board of trustees for Kol Shalom.When he’s not working, Ron enjoys being with his family, music, golf, meditation and yoga.

Ralph Stayer is the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Johnsonville Sausage LLC. He has led the company since it was incorporated in 1968. Under Ralph’s guidance, Johnsonville has become the largest selling sausage brand in North America and currently sells its brand in more than 30 countries. Ralph was named CEO of the Year by Tom Peters in 1988 and was a finalist in the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2000. In 1990, Ralph established the Leadership Dynamics consulting firm. He wrote “How I Learned to Let My Workers Lead,” published in the Harvard Business Review, and co-authored the business best-seller Flight of the Buffalo, published by Warner Books. Ralph became involved in the Foundation several years ago and since then has organized a number of efforts to support BEF. Johnsonville’s popular “Bratwurst Tailgating Hall of Fame” cause marketing program raised significant funds for the Foundation. Johnsonville also hosted a successful golf tournament near its Wisconsin headquarters, and Ralph continues to ensure the company’s ongoing involvement in BEF events. Ralph is a National Trustee of Boys and Girls Clubs in the Midwest region. In addition, he is a Board member of PAVE, an organization dedicated to improving opportunities for urban students in Milwaukee. Ralph also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Notre Dame Executive Education Department. Ralph graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance. He has been married to his wife, Shelly, for 15 years. They have seven children and five grandchildren in their combined family.

Randy Williams is a Managing Director at Brean Capital, LLC.  He has traded Mortgage Backed Securities with them since 2008.  Prior to Brean, Randy was with HSBC Securities trading in the same capacity from 2005-2008.Randy has been a part of the BEF his whole life as he is Boomer’s nephew.  He has volunteered at many events including the Empire Challenge, Golf outings, and Booming Celebration.  Randy has also been a part of the BEF Young Professionals Committee (YPC) since its inception and has been instrumental in getting the fundraising word out to the young professional crowd.  In 2006, Randy and Russ Middleton created an event called “Refi Rock”, and with the help of the YPC, it has become the committee’s flagship fundraiser every year since.   Randy is always ready and willing to help in any fundraising efforts. He is a graduate of Wagner College with a BS in Computer Science and an MBA in Finance.  Randy lives in northern New Jersey with his wife Jackie, their daughter Aria and their dog Callie.

The Board

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