STEVE BORNSTEIN SUCCEEDS ROBERT LLOYD AS CHAIR OFTHE V FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, one of the nation’s leading cancer research funding organizations, is proud to announce Steve Bornstein as its board chair, effective April 2014. Bornstein, most recently the president and CEO of NFL Network and executive vice president of media for the NFL, succeeds Napa Valley resident Bob Lloyd, who has served as Board Chair since 1994 and was instrumental in helping to create the foundation. Lloyd will continue to be involved in The V Wine Celebration, The V Foundation for Cancer Research’s annual fundraiser, which takes place in Napa Valley every August.

Shortly after Jim Valvano, legendary NC State basketball coach and ESPN commentator, was diagnosed with cancer in 1992, Bornstein, then president and CEO of ESPN, proposed the idea of a charity to Valvano and his wife Pam over dinner. Through Bornstein and Valvano’s collaboration, The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded soon thereafter. As an original member of the Board of Directors, Bornstein has remained dedicated to fulfilling Jim’s legacy and mission of eradicating cancer for the past 20 years.

“In my long history working with great nonprofit organizations, I have never witnessed such a thoughtful and well executed succession plan,” said Susan Braun, CEO of The V Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to Bob Lloyd for all of his contributions and very excited about our future with Steve Bornstein. Both men are legends in their own right and the fact that they are willing to contribute so much to The V Foundation speaks volumes.”

In the past 20 years, Bob Lloyd’s leadership as board chair has been critical in shaping the organization while remaining true to the wishes of his friend, Jim Valvano. College roommates and basketball teammates at Rutgers University, Valvano called upon Lloyd to serve on The V Foundation’s Board of Directors in 1993. Perhaps Lloyd’s greatest impact as board chair has been the role he has played in developing and growing The V Foundation’s endowment. Due to generous donors, the endowment covers administrative expenses and enables The V Foundation to award 100 percent of all direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs.  Lloyd also co-founded The V Foundation Wine Celebration, one of the top-rated charitable wine auctions in the country. Serving as Chair Emeritus, he will remain an active member of the Board of Directors and continue to oversee The V Foundation Wine Celebration.

“It has been a great honor to serve as Chairman of the Board for the past 20 years,” said Lloyd.  “I am very pleased that Steve Bornstein, who along with Jim and Pam Valvano conceived and established The V Foundation, will be taking over as Chairman.  My friend, Jim, would be thrilled to have his Foundation in such capable hands.”

The V Foundation for Cancer Research’s annual fundraiser, The V Wine Celebration, will celebrate its 16th anniversary August 7-10, 2014. More information may be found at www.jimmyv.org or www.winecelebration.org