Challenged Athletes Foundation


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Board of Directors of the Challenged Athletes Inc. d.b.a. Challenged Athletes Foundation

The outstanding Board of Directors of the Challenged Athletes Inc. d.b.a. Challenged Athletes Foundation is a large part of the success of CAF. Each Board member devotes numerous hours and takes on different responsibilities within the organization to ensure that the organization has comprehensive plan and vision for success. The Board Officers are the individuals responsible for the vision to create what is now the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

Jeffrey Essakow - Board President, Founding Member

Bob Babbitt - Board Vice-President, Founding Member

Rick Kozlowski - Founding Member

	Jeffrey Essakow Jeffrey brings to this Board an incredible level of enthusiasm and determination that effects everyone who works with him. His expertise is in finance, has led to extraordinary fundraising efforts. The countless hours he has dedicated to CAF have been rewarded by the success our athletes achieve through the grants provided by CAF. His efforts are truly remarkable.
	Bob Babbitt Bob offers CAF another example of dedication and long hours. As editor of Competitor Magazine, Bob interacts with disabled athletes competing across the country and recognizes their need for competitive funding. Bob's passion and creativity are great assets in the development of the CAF vision, as is his relentless promotion of this foundation.
	Rick Kozlowski Rick has a level of energy and organization that has led him to volunteer hundreds of hours to making sure the details are in line and that all runs well. He is the race director for the SDTC, and prior to the arrival of our Executive Director, took care of all the details of the SDTC and the daily operation of the CAF. His attention to detail and the numerous hours he commits to CAF are a huge part the success of the foundation
	Scott Stackman Scott Stackman became involved with the CAF in 2004 where he was one of the top fundraisers at the San Diego Triathlon Challenge. He was so inspired, that he requested to start a Gala in NYC. Scott Chaired the New York City Gala for Heroes, Heart and Hope raising over $1.4 Million dollars in its first 2 years. Scott’s efforts were recognized as he was honored with Jim MacLaren award. Scott has over 20 years in the financial industry and is currently working as a Senior Vice President for the Private Wealth Management Division at UBS. He is also an accomplished triathlete who recently completed the Ironman World Championshiop in Kona, Hawaii. Scott will continue to be a strong asset and important part of CAF’s future growth and success.
	Bobby bostic Bobby Bostic is CAF’s All-Time Top Fundraiser, having personally raised over $500,000 for CAF. When he’s not raising money for the foundation, Bobby is an Associate at Capital Guardian Trust Company, a father of two, a dedicated husband and an endurance sports athlete. His passion for the cause will help continue CAF’s success and growth.
	Lew Friedland From 1998 to 2004, Lew served as President of World Triathlon Corporation, overseeing all aspects of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship. His work with WTC brought him into contact with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and he has attended and competed in CAF’s top fundraiser, the San Diego Triathlon Challenge (SDTC), on several occasions. Lew has been the business manager for Dr. James P. Gills, renowned cataract surgeon, land developer and purchaser of the Ironman brand in 1990. He has also been involved with capital campaigns to finance construction of six YMCA facilities on the Florida Gulf Coast, and consistently participates in civic fund-raising projects. Lew is now the acting President of the CAF-Florida Chapter. He lives in Palm Harbor, Florida, with his wife Linda.
	Tim maguire Tim Maguire is the Senior Vice President of the Western Territory for Philadelphia Insurance Companies. He has been employed by Philadelphia Insurance Companies for 20 years, is active in charitable work and has championed PHLY’s Company Volunteer Initiative. He is a competitive Triathlete and has participated in 13 Ironman Triathlons including the 2007 and 2009 Hawaiian Ironman in Kailua-Kona. Tim’s background in business and fundraising will be very valuable to the continuation of success for the foundation.
	Jeff jacobs Jeff Jacobs was introduced to CAF through the QUALCOMM Million Dollar Challenge. He brought QUALCOMM on board as an event partner and title sponsor, and also rode the entire 640-mile journey. As the Executive Vice President and President, Global Development at QUALCOMM, Jeff will bring fresh ideas to the foundation.
	David Jochim David Jochim was introduced to CAF through former board member Mary Curran of Union Bank. He is the Senior Vice President and Manager of Union Bank of California’s San Jose Corporate Banking Group, and a competitive athlete having completed several Ironman distance triathlons and marathons. With twenty-two years of experience in commercial banking, David will be a strong asset in the financial management of the foundation.
	Tabi King Through her work in the prosthetics industry, Tabi King began as a volunteer in 1995, just after the first SDTC, to provide her expertise in disabled sports and execute media support. In 2000, she became the first full time employee of CAF in the role of Director of Programs & Development where she worked alongside Virginia Tinley to create the programs that exist today. She has played a strong role since the beginning in the strategic and operational development of CAF. In 2005, Tabi resigned her internal role at CAF to take a position at the world’s most innovative & performance driven prosthetic provider of prosthetic devices, Ossur Americas where she currently serves as Director of Marketing & Education. She now sits on the board of directors where she continues to serve as a strong contributor as to the strategic direction of CAF.
	Tommy knapp Thomas (Tommy) Knapp learned about CAF through his participation on the USAT PC National Team. As a congenital below-elbow arm amputee, Tommy has been a challenged athlete his entire life and has never let it stand in his way. He’s founded and ran multiple clothing empires including True Textiles, Honolua Surf Co., and his current venture Club Sportswear. His athletic and entrepreneurial experience will provide the foundation with a wealth of knowledge.
	David Samson David Samson just completed his ninth season in Major League Baseball and seventh as President of the Florida Marlins. In 2006, Samson became the first active President of a Major League Baseball team to complete the Ford Ironman World Championship Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. CAF’s mission hit a “home-run” in Samson’s heart and he became a “major league” supporter after choosing CAF as his Ironman charity; he has since brought in almost $100,000 to help physically challenged athletes compete in sports.