Harris Barton created Champion Charities, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, in 2004 with his business partner, former teammate and friend, Ronnie Lott, after both of his parents passed away from brain tumors. In Harris' own words, "My father was first diagnosed while I was in high school and poised to move on to play Division I football. After an all-star career at the University of North Carolina, I was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and proceeded to win three Super Bowls. As an offensive lineman, I thought I knew what facing tough competition meant, but, like so many other families impacted by this disease, I learned a lot more about the strength of an opponent during my Dad’s battle with a malignant brain tumor. After Dad’s brave fight ended, the unthinkable happened when my Mom, just 9 years later, found herself grappling with the same disease."
Champion Charities takes the tragedy of Harris' family and brings something good out of it by helping the community. From their days on the football field, Harris and Ronnie realize the importance of a Team. It is with this in mind, that Champion Charities invites you to Invest in Hope and team with us to become a formidable force in the fight to cure brain tumors, brain diseases and to treat traumatic brain injury.
Board of Directors
Harris Barton, Chairman
Harris currently leads H. Barton Asset Management. A veteran of 12 NFL seasons, Harris helped the 49ers win Super Bowls in 1989, 1990 and 1995. Harris graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1986, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Finance.
Craig Gordon
Craig founded Off the Record Research in 1995. He developed the concept of unbiased marketplace research during his 11 years as director of Grassroots Research at RCM Capital Management. Craig holds a Master's Degree in Public and Private Management from Yale University and a B.S. Degree from Lehigh University.
Craig Johnson
Craig is President of JMP Group, parent of JMP Securities. He is a founder of Saw Island Asset Management. Craig serves on the board of the San Francisco Zoo and is a trustee for the Woodside Priory School. Craig holds a BA in Economics from Stanford University.
Officers
Jeff Bloom
Jeff is a partner and Chair of the Venture Capital and Private Equity Fund Formation Group at Fenwick & West. Jeff received his Bachelor's Degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a joint J.D. Degree and L.L.M. in Taxation Degree from the New York University School of Law. He is a member of the State Bars of California and New York.
Ronnie Lott
Ronnie founded All Stars Helping Kids in 1989, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged youth in the San Francisco Bay area. He helped the 49ers win Super Bowls in 1981, 1984, 1988 and 1989 and was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 2000. Ronnie is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration.
Ron Yu, Executive Director
Ron's professional experience is rooted in the non-profit, education and start-up worlds. Prior to Champion, Ron worked for All Stars Helping Kids, the KIPP Foundation, Deloitte, Teach for America, and NewSchools Venture Fund. Ron holds an AB from Stanford University and an MBA and Masters in Education from the University of Washington.
Our tax ID number is: 65-1252760 – listed under HRJ Charities.