John J. Fisher

John J. Fisher
Born June 1, 1961
Residence San Francisco
Nationality United States
Ethnicity Jewish
Alma mater B.A. Princeton University
M.B.A. Stanford University
Occupation Retail executive
Known for majority owner of the Oakland Athletics
Net worth Increase $2.8 billion (Sept 2013)[1]
Spouse(s) Laura Meier Fisher
Children four
Parent(s) Donald Fisher
Doris Feigenbaum

John J. Fisher (born June 1, 1961) is an American businessman. He is the majority owner of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics and has stakes in Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes and Scotland's Celtic F.C. He is the son of Gap Inc. founders Donald Fisher and Doris F. Fisher.

Early life and education

Fisher was born to a Jewish family,[2] is the son of Doris Feigenbaum Fisher and Don Fisher, the co-founders of Gap, Inc.[1] He has two brothers: Robert J. Fisher and William S. Fisher. Fisher attended Phillips Exeter Academy[3] and Princeton University, where he received a bachelor's degree[1] in 1983.[3] After college, Fisher worked in the mailroom at the Republican National Committee and worked as a fund-raiser for former President Ronald Reagan and then-Vice President George H.W. Bush.[3] He then attended graduate school at Stanford University School of Business where he earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration.[1]

Career

After graduate school, he took a job for a real estate company that did business with his parent's company, the Gap. The business was not successful and he became president of Pisces Inc., the Fisher family's investment management company.[3] He established a relationship with Lewis Wolff to jointly purchase several Fairmont hotels in San Francisco which led to his investment in the Oakland Athletics.[3] He also has stakes in Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes and Scotland's Glasgow Celtic football club.[3]

Fisher has been the A's majority owner since he and Wolff closed on their purchase of the team in 2005. However, Wolff is operating head of the franchise as managing partner.

Philanthropy

Fisher chairs the board of the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP Foundation), dedicated to training teachers for the KIPP public charter school network.[1]

Personal life

He is married to Laura Meier Fisher[4][5] and they have four children.[1] The couple lives in San Francisco.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Forbes: The World's Billionaires - John Fisher September 2013
  2. ↑ The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California: "Gap Founder Donald Fisher Leaves Stamp on Community" October 1, 2009
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 San Francisco Gate: "A's NEW ERA / JOHN FISHER / Son of Gap founder is the money behind the deal" by Todd Wallack March 31, 2005
  4. ↑ Princeton University news: "Fisher family funds dormitory for Princeton's Whitman College" by Ruth Stevens June 12, 2006
  5. ↑ Stanford University Bulletin: "Laura Fisher" retrieved July 29, 2013