January 25, 2013

PAT EVANS AND BOBBY MCGEE NAMED RECIPIENTS OF
2012 CHARLES RINGLER FOUNDER’s AWARD

 

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Davey O’Brien Foundation today announced Pat Evans and Bobby McGee, two of the Foundation’s past presidents, as co-recipients of the 2012 Charles Ringler Founder’s Award.

The award, established in 2004, honors an individual or corporation devoted to the Foundation that has exhibited the same passion, pride and perseverance as Charles Ringler himself. Ringler, a longtime friend of Davey O’Brien, established the Foundation and O’Brien Memorial Trophy with other members of The Fort Worth Club in 1977. Because of Ringler’s leadership and steadfast commitment, the regional O’Brien Memorial Trophy Award developed into the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award and over the past 35 years has gained national recognition and prestige.

“We are honored to recognize both Pat and Bobby for their continued dedication to the Foundation and our mission,” said Scott Murray, chair of the Founder’s Award Committee. “Their ongoing support and leadership have been vital to the advancement of the Foundation.”

Pat Evans has been a strong advocate of the Foundation and a member of the Board of Trustees for almost 20 years. Evans served as president of the Foundation from 2000-2005. Throughout that time, he instituted a number of changes, which helped the Foundation expand into what it has become today. One of the chief additions launched during Evans’ presidency was the Legends Award. Established in 2001 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Davey O’Brien Foundation, the Legends Award recognizes a college or professional quarterback who has made a significant contribution to the game of football, distinguished himself as an extraordinary leader and demonstrated exemplary conduct on and off the football field.

“During my presidency, I really wanted to focus on the legacy of the Foundation,” said Evans. “In addition to the creation of the Legends Award, I am very proud of both the lay and staff leadership that I helped install during my term. Charlie was a legendary and outstanding leader and I am thrilled to be receiving this honor.”

In addition to serving on the Foundation’s Executive Committee and Nominating Committee, Evans sits on numerous area civic boards including Harris Methodist Health System, Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital and First Methodist Church Foundation. He is an active member and past president of the Rotary Club of Fort Worth and a member of the advisory board of Texas Wesleyan University’s School of Business. Evans, the current president of Schieffer Group Management Company, was recently named chairman of the board of CAMICO, the nation’s largest CPA-directed provider of specialty liability insurance for Certified Public Accountants.

Evans’ successor, Bobby McGee, has also been a faithful supporter of the Davey O’Brien Foundation for many years. McGee, who joined the Board in 1991, has devoted his time, money and expertise to the Foundation’s endeavors. After accepting the presidency in 2005, McGee used his marketing experience and business acumen to transform the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. During McGee’s tenure, he helped increase brand awareness and fan participation by overseeing the creation of the Fan Vote and On-the-Road Campaign as well as the establishment of the Foundation’s online and social media presence.

“I am very humbled to be recognized as one of this year’s Charles Ringler Founder’s Award recipients,” said McGee. “The legacy that Charles established and that this award represents is something I am truly honored to be associated with.”

McGee, who stepped down from the presidency in 2010, is still an active member of the Foundation and sits on the Executive Committee and Nominating Committee. He is the founding Managing Partner of U.S. Growth Funds (USGF) and has served as CEO and Chairman of the investment committee since its inception. He is also currently the chairman of Jardine Foods, Inc. The University of Texas graduate is very involved in the Fort Worth community and has sat on the Board of Visitors at the McDonald Observatory, the Tarrant Country College Board of Trustees, and Jefferson Capital (SBIC) Advisory Board.

The Charles Ringer Founder’s Award will be presented at the 36th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner on Feb. 18, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. Other award recipients honored that evening will include: Johnny Manziel, 2012 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Winner; Eddie LeBaron, 2012 Legends Award Recipient; and Elizabeth Crowling, 2012 High School Scholarship Award Recipient.

Previous recipients of the Charles Ringler Founder’s Award include: Keith Jackson, 2009; Robert Lansford and JPMorgan Chase, 2008; the William E. Scott Foundation, 2007; American Airlines, 2006; The Fort Worth Club, 2006; Lamar Hunt, 2005; Don Looney, 2005; and Dan Poland, 2004.

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 awards programs encouraging academic and career success. The Foundation has given away more than $850,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field to leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.

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