Davey O’Brien Foundation names Robert Lansford and JPMorgan Chase recipients of the 2008 Charles Ringler Founder’s Award

FORT WORTH, Texas (February 5, 2009) – The Davey O’Brien Foundation announced today Robert Lansford and JPMorgan Chase as co-recipients of the 2008 Charles Ringler Founder’s Award. The award honors an individual or corporation devoted to the Davey O’Brien Foundation that has exhibited the same passion, pride and perseverance as Charles Ringler himself. Ringler, a longtime friend of Davey O’Brien, established the Davey O’Brien Foundation and O’Brien Memorial Trophy with other members of The Fort Worth Club in 1977.

“We are honored to recognize both Bob and JPMorgan Chase for their continued generosity towards the Foundation and our mission,” said Scott Murray, chair of the Founder’s Awards Committee. “Their ongoing support has allowed the Foundation to further the vision that Charles himself had many years ago.”

Robert Lansford has been a faithful supporter of the Davey O’Brien Foundation for more than ten years. He has been a member of the Davey O’Brien Board of Trustees since 1996 and has since devoted his time, money and expertise to the Foundation’s endeavors. He currently holds the office of vice president, is chair of the Nominating Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee. In addition to the Davey O’Brien Foundation, Lansford also contributes to the Fort Worth community by serving as a board member for the Baylor/All Saints Hospital Foundation, Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the Boys and Girls Club.

“It is such a privilege to be recognized as one of this year’s Charles Ringler Founder’s Award recipients,” said Lansford. “The legacy that Charles established and that this award represents is something with which I am honored to be associated.”

Lansford has more than 42 years of personal trust and foundations banking experience. After graduating from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1962, he completed the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University and then became a Certified Public Accountant in 1974. Lansford served as a tax accountant in the Trust Tax Department for Fort Worth National Bank and then as managing director for JPMorgan in Fort Worth before retiring from the bank on December 31, 2008.

JPMorgan Chase has also been an advocate of the Davey O’Brien Foundation for many years. The organization has contributed generous funding to further the Foundation’s efforts in addition to serving as a table sponsor for more than fifteen years.

“The Davey O’Brien Foundation is an important institution and proud tradition in Fort Worth,” said Danny Smith, chairman of Chase in Fort Worth. “JPMorgan Chase is gratified to be a longtime supporter of the Foundation, which recognizes champions on the playing field and in the classroom.”

JPMorgan Chase is a leading financial institution and corporate citizen in Fort Worth. Chase has donated $1 million annually for the past several years to support non-profit and charitable organizations in Tarrant County, focusing on community development, education and arts outreach. The company employs 4,000 workers in Tarrant County and maintains the highest local market share of any bank. JPMorgan manages more than $5 billion of client investments in Fort Worth, and Chase has 73 branches in Tarrant County under the Chase and Washington Mutual brands. The Washington Mutual branches will be converted to the Chase name this summer.

The Charles Ringer Founder’s Award will be presented February 16 at the 32nd Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner. Other award recipients honored that evening will include: Sam Bradford, Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award® recipient; Joe Theismann, O’Brien Legends Award recipient; and Taylor Breen, O’Brien High School Scholarship Award recipient.

Previous recipients of the Charles Ringler Founder’s Award include: the William E. Scott Foundation, American Airlines, The Fort Worth Club, Lamar Hunt, Don Looney and Dan Poland.

About the Davey O’Brien Foundation
The Davey O’Brien Foundation was founded in 1977 to honor and remember the strong character and leadership of football great, Davey O’Brien. Widely known for its Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, the Foundation recognizes champions on and off the field through national awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Foundation has given away more than $750,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.DaveyOBrien.org.