Berger Foundation Announces Leadership Changes: Palm Desert

From the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation: Christopher M. McGuire is now the President and Chairman of the Board of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. Douglass A. Vance remains as Vice President of the Foundation’s Real Estate Division, which he has held since 1993. Catharine N. Reed is the new Vice President of Charitable Programs for the Foundation. Joseph K. Glassett, is the new Vice President of Finance. The changes were unanimously approved by the foundation’s Board of Directors, prior to the passing of Ronald M. Auen in November, who served as President and Chairman of the Board since 1988. Auen handpicked members of the leadership after Mr. and Mrs. Berger entrusted him to lead the foundation.

Nor Berger and his wife Fran, established the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation as a private family foundation in 1961. Through Auen’s vision and leadership, the Foundation has grown multiple times over with a diverse portfolio of investments, which has in turn allowed the Foundation to expend more than $800 million for charitable endeavors throughout Southern California, the United States and even internationally. The Foundation does not accept contributions from individuals and businesses and does not accept unsolicited grant requests. About 80-percent of the Foundation’s giving is concentrated in the Coachella Valley, where the Foundation has been based since 1996.

Auen asked McGuire to join the Foundation’s executive team as Vice President of Programs in 1991. At that time, McGuire was also elected as a member of the Board of Directors. As Vice President of Programs, McGuire led the charitable division by initiating philanthropic endeavors and overseeing grant implementation. His expertise has aided hundreds of nonprofit organizations with a vast variety of programs and services.

Prior to joining the Berger Foundation, McGuire was owner and president of Arcadia Glass and Mirror Corporation. Before that, he worked with Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles in administration and construction management and was an officer with the United States Navy Civil Engineers Corp. McGuire earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arizona. He also holds an MBA from the University of Southern California.

“It is an honor to continue the legacy of Ron Auen and Mr. Berger,” said McGuire. “It will be my privilege to continue to lead the Berger Foundation with the same integrity of these two visionaries along with the thoughtful guidance of the Board of Directors. We have an excellent team in place to sustain the Foundation’s mission.”

Vance is entering his 27th year as the Foundation’s Vice President of Real Estate. As a licensed California real estate agent, Vance has expertise in acquiring assets and a proven track record of growth and profitability. Prior to joining the Berger Foundation, Vance was a California licensed contractor and president of J & D Excavating, Inc. and served as a United States Navy Seabee. Vance has been on the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 1991.

With McGuire as President of the Foundation, Catharine N. Reed is the new Vice President of Charitable Programs, leaving her post as the Foundation’s Program Director, which she held for eleven years. Reed has been a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2008. With more than 20 years of experience as a program officer with multi-million-dollar nonprofit foundations, Reed will continue working directly with the nonprofit organizations that the Foundation funds. Reed holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino.

“The leadership of Ron Auen will forever be a part of what and how the Berger Foundation functions,” said Reed. “As I embrace this new role, I will draw from his mentorship and continue to seek out innovative programs and partnerships that enrich people’s lives.”

Glassett was hired by the Foundation in 2018. As the newly appointed Vice President of Finance, he leads the Accounting and Finance Group. Glassett has more than 35 years of finance and business experience with companies including Cosmair, Inc. and JVCKENWOOD, where he worked for 23 years. Glassett holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Management from Kean University in New Jersey and an MBA in Finance from National University in San Diego.

This press release was produced by the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. The views expressed here are the author's own.