FALL 2012
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M A G A Z I N E
Meet Jed York CEO of the San Francisco 49ers
Meet Jed York, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers
Born to Make Good Things Happen
Jed York, center, with his mother, Denise DeBartolo York, and his father, John York, at his side during the New Santa Clara Groundbreaking Ceremony in April 2012.
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ou do not need to be a sports fan, a football fan or specifically a 49er fan to appreciate this story. You are living it now and Jed York is the man of the hour. Imagine being you didn’t already surrounded by a very know, this is not your successful family, ordinary Jed! This is with very successful not your typical, now family members, 31-year old, NFL team since birth. There owner. In just a few is Jed’s grandfather, years, what Jed York Edward DeBartolo, has accomplished Sr., Chairman of his as CEO of the San No. 1 Retail Shopping Francisco 49ers is Center Corporation astonishing. in the US, who for I recently met years would be his role with Jed. It was very model and mentor. special. What he There is his uncle, said was focused, Eddie DeBartolo, enlightening and former Owner of the empowering. Listening 49ers, who was in the to him seemed worthy midst of a five Super of a two-year MBA Bowl Trophy run. course. We talked There is his mother, about last season. It Denise DeBartolo was a great season. York, who as President To make the playoffs of the Pittsburgh was great. Of course, Penguins, was the we were disappointed A young Jed York, left, with legendary 49ers first woman to have to be so close to the coach Bill Walsh and his uncle, Edward J. her name engraved Super Bowl and not be DeBartolo, Jr. on the Stanley Cup. able to finish the job. Her husband and Jed’s Important, though, father, John York, is one of the pre-eminent is not to dwell on that, but to reset, look ahead Cancer Research Doctors in the US. The Yorks and prepare … and prepare they have. Jed said would become co-owners of the 49ers, and in he doesn’t look at wins and losses, but on the December, 2008, they would proudly announce progress made. Teams get into the playoffs with that Jed York, at 27 years of age, would lead the different records … it’s the playoffs, though, franchise’s daily operations moving forward. where they have that second season, that really Indeed, Jed was ready for that day. matters, where they need to be ready and wellWho is Jed York? To all of you out there, if prepared.
The York family established the San Francisco 49ers Foundation in 1991 to serve the Bay Area community. The Foundation Jed York addresses the 49ers supports develoment programs for underserved youth that Faithful at the team’s State of keep them, “Safe, On track and In School.” the Franchise.
Jed talked about the importance of having goals, progressing in the right direction, looking at things in steps, reaching certain milestones. It’s like building a stadium; it’s a process and he would see the entire picture (the macro) and make sure each step up the ladder was accomplished (the micro). Jed’s working slogan seems to be: What will it take to make it happen and let’s make it happen. It was a great year. The first step was naming Trent Baalke General Manager, to oversee the team’s football operations. From that point, Jed and Trent set out to find the perfect man to lead the 49ers onto the field. Jim Harbaugh was the clear-cut choice. Last preseason, there was a labor stoppage where the coaches and players were not allowed to meet or practice together - a huge disadvantage for a new coach and system. Harbaugh took the challenge and became just the 4th head coach in NFL history to win 13 games in his rookie regular season, and the first to do so with a team who had a losing record the year before. To quote Coach Harbaugh: “Who’s got it better than us? ... Nobody!” No time to look back, or dwell, but to reset and look forward ... time moved quickly.
The 49ers swiftly made helpful off-season acquisitions through the NFL draft and a free agency period on the eve of training camp. Jed, Trent and Jim thrive on competition. No successful team, coach or player rests on their laurels. There is competition at every position. This breeds improvement. And by the end of the 2011 season, the 49ers had reached the NFC title game and staked their claim to a spot among the NFL’s elite teams once again. In Santa Clara, there is lots to look forward to, both on the football field, and right next to the team’s practice facility. In 2010, the team attained city approval to move forward on plans to build the world’s premium outdoor sports and entertainment venue in Santa Clara. Over the last year, the team took massive steps towards making a new Santa Clara Stadium a reality. The team secured an $850 million construction loan, $200 million in NFL funding and later broke ground in April, 2012. It is with wonderment and excitement to see this beautiful, state-of-the-art, first ever LEED Seal, fully Wi-Fi and Electric Grid Neutral Stadium under construction. This is a sign of
how appreciative we can be of everyone’s hard provides a distinguished forum to hear from work coming together. This means many more first-hand experts and leaders from throughout jobs (all local contractors), office buildings going the United States and the World. Jed believes from vacancies to occupancies, a new hotel in the importance of such a forum, to be able to rightly called The Montana, all-creating a boom hear, learn and discuss important issues without to the regional economy. Remarkably, this is political bias. also the first pro football stadium to be built What was also grand about this last season, in California in 47 Jed and his wife, years. Danielle, were It was instilled married and in Jed from an then recently early age by his celebrated grandfather, to their one year “Win With Class,” anniversary. They both on and off the were married field. It is clear that during the labor Family, Team and stoppage, when Community seem Jed and no one to blend together else knew if there as one. Jed is a would even be man of passion, a season. Jed compassion and a needed to stay competitive desire close to the 49er to win. He also Headquarters, takes great pride, so there was no as do all the 49ers, real Honeymoon. that there is 100% Their honeymoon participation from happily came the organization with their first in volunteering to anniversary … help support our and a wonderful community, as well. trip where both Jed also makes families came time in his very to enjoy it with busy schedule to them. A great serve on the Board year, indeed. of Directors of As 49er fans, two Non-Profits. we have a lot to One is Tipping be thankful for. Jed York congratulating QB Alex Smith in the locker room following the 49ers playoff victory over the New A winning team Point, based in Orleans Saints on January 14, 2012. San Francisco. inspired by a firstThe Board covers class coaching all the operating staff. Soon, expenses, while last year alone, $14 million was a state-of-the-art stadium, that will proudly raised, which benefitted fight-against-poverty showcase our 49ers team and organization, non-profit organizations. The other non-profit will be realized under special leadership that is the Commonwealth Club, based in both is being provided and driven by Jed York . San Francisco and the Silicon Valley, which Nothing can be finer than being a 49er!
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