Chargers Front Office | Los Angeles Chargers - chargers.com

Under the leadership of Dean Spanos, the Los Angeles Chargers continue to make bold moves that position the franchise for long-term success in the nation's second-largest media market. Thanks to Spanos' senior leadership and strategic direction, the Chargers broke ground on the team's future permanent training facility and corporate headquarters in 2022 at a 14-acre site in El Segundo, Calif. The site is less than four miles from their iconic SoFi Stadium home, which was opened in 2020 just months after successfully unveiling new team uniforms and updated branding that helped usher in a new era in the team's storied history.

Under the leadership of Dean Spanos, the Los Angeles Chargers continue to make bold moves that position the franchise for long-term success in the nation's second-largest media market. Thanks to Spanos' senior leadership and strategic direction, the Chargers broke ground on the team's future permanent training facility and corporate headquarters in 2022 at a 14-acre site in El Segundo, Calif. The site is less than four miles from their iconic SoFi Stadium home, which was opened in 2020 just months after successfully unveiling new team uniforms and updated branding that helped usher in a new era in the team's storied history.

In that inaugural season at SoFi Stadium, Spanos' hires led to Justin Herbert earning consensus Rookie of the Year honors, including the Offensive Rookie of the Year from The Associated Press — the first Charger to earn the accolade from the AP in over 45 seasons. Spanos has led the team through numerous franchise records and victories, including a playoff berth last season. During the 11 seasons from 2004-14, the Chargers won 113 games (playoffs included) — five of which were AFC West championships (2004, 2006-09) — and four playoff games. Only three teams in the NFL won more games during that span.

Named President of the Chargers in early 1994 — the same year the team culminated its most memorable season with an appearance in Super Bowl XXIX — Dean, along with his father Alex Spanos, also secured Super Bowl XXXII (1998) and Super Bowl XXXVII (2003) for their community, with each event netting in excess of $300 million for the local economy.

In 2015, Spanos handed over the reins of day-to-day leadership to sons A.G. and John. Eldest son A.G. Spanos now serves as President of Business Operations while John Spanos heads up the other side of the business as President of Football Operations.

Dean's leadership is also present throughout the National Football League. As a member of the NFL's Management Council Executive Committee (CEC), he played an integral role in negotiating the NFL's current labor agreement. Spanos also sits on the NFL's Business Ventures Committee — having served as Chairman in 2015 — which has oversight regarding various league commercial activities, including consumer products, sponsorship, events, marketing and new business initiatives. In addition to his current committee work, Spanos also owns previous committee time that includes membership on the NFL's International and Legislative Committees.

Aside from football, Spanos also serves as CEO of the A.G. Spanos Companies, and along with his brother, Michael, oversees all construction operations nationwide. 

TRADITION OF GIVING

The Spanos family has a multi-generation commitment to community involvement and is recognized both as one of the NFL's most philanthropic families as well as one of Southern California's most active and caring contributors to local causes. Their financial contributions of more than $15 million and their emotional support for youth, sports, education and our brave men and women in uniform have been a hallmark of their team ownership and legacy. Spanos was honored in June 2022 by the Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation with its Inspiration Award for his commitment to encouraging youth and young adults to serve their communities and follow their career dreams.

In March of 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Spanos directed an immediate donation of $250,000 to the LA Food Bank to help prepare for what he knew would be a tremendous increase in need. He also directed additional, significant donations to support other regional Food Banks, first responders, the American Red Cross and other non-profits working throughout Southern California to assist people struggling through the pandemic. The Chargers then partnered with KCBS-TV in Los Angeles and iHeart Radio to co-host a fundraiser that ultimately netted more than $1.6 million in donations for LAUSD students most in need, providing them with free meals, supplies and much-needed technology to help maintain their studies from home.

As 2020 continued and issues surrounding systemic racism sparked national outrage and new types of dialogue, Spanos led the team through tough internal conversations, which resulted in a new partnership with Liberty Hill Foundation to create a Social Justice Mentoring Initiative for the team's players and staff and system-impacted youth. Under his leadership, the Chargers and the Chargers Impact Fund also made a five-year financial commitment to help launch the Alliance — an unprecedented partnership of all 11 sport teams in the LA region who are coming together to level the playing field through sport by providing access and opportunities to youth from consistently under-resourced communities.

In April 2019, thanks to the generosity of Spanos and the Chargers organization, the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles opened their newly renovated multi-sport field and teen center with a press conference and ribbon-cutting hosted by Spanos. In June of 2018, Spanos and the Chargers announced a three-year, $1.2 million commitment to the Summer Night Lights program — helping to expand sports programming across all 32 park locations — including uniforms for participants, referees and increased access to sports clinics. In 2018 Spanos also served as the honorary chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's annual 2018 Pacific Youth of the Year Gala.

The generosity of the Spanos family reaches throughout California and has often extended into other states when needs have arisen. When wildfires struck Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego Counties in December 2017, the Spanos family stepped up with a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross — less than three months after committing $500,000 to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts and hosting a food and supply drive in Los Angeles for victims in flood-ravaged areas of Houston, Texas. When wildfires ravaged San Diego County in 2003, and again in 2007, the family made identical $1 million donations to aid affected families and the recovery effort.

Known for his generous backing of youth and high school football, Spanos and the Chargers were honored by National Pop Warner with its prestigious NFL Team of the Year Award in 2015 — a recognition of the team's outstanding support for youth football and cheer at all levels. The Chargers, who were also honored in 2007, were the first team in the NFL team to be so honored twice.

In 2014, the A.G. Spanos Heart and Vascular Center at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento opened thanks to a lead gift of $15 million from the family, the largest gift Mercy General had ever received. In speaking at the opening, Dean said the family's commitment to Mercy General Hospital was to ensure that no one from the region would ever be turned away from proper care for lack of space or the kind of critical care they needed.

Also in 2014, Spanos pledged $500,000 to the University of California-San Diego to upgrade and expand the existing Alex G. Spanos Training Facility, which was then renamed and opened as the Alex G. Spanos Athletic Performance Center. UCSD is the Chargers' former training camp home, and this gift raised the value of the family's support of the institution to more than $1.6 million.

In 1995, the Spanos family took their commitment to the community a step further by creating The Chargers Community Foundation, now known as the Los Angeles Chargers Impact Fund. Since its inception, the Fund has provided nearly $13 million to support a wide range of services and programs directly benefiting children and families. In 1999, Dean Spanos created the Fund's largest ongoing program, Chargers Champions, which has provided over $6 million in direct assistance to schools, teachers, and students. The program provides grants to improve fitness, nutrition and athletic programs on school campuses.

Spanos has also been a long-time contributor to many other important charities and organizations working to improve the lives of children and families, including: the Make-A-Wish Foundation; American Cancer Society; Susan G. Komen; Girl Scouts; Special Olympics of Southern California; the Salvation Army; and Huntington's Disease Society. 

COMMUNITY HONORS

In appreciation of their ongoing generosity, Dean and Susie Spanos have often been the recipients of numerous accolades. In 2018, the family and the Chargers were honored as Red Cross LA's Humanitarian Organization of the Year and presented with the Mayor's Award from the Association of Corporate Growth (ACG) Los Angeles — both in recognition of the impact they have made in the greater Los Angeles community. The Spanos family was also recognized with the Inaugural Carousel Spirit Award from the Festival of Children Foundation in Orange County. In 2021, Dean and Susie were honored with the Ambassador of Hope Award from Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, celebrating more than 20 years of partnership and support from the Spanos family and Chargers organization. Most recently in January 2023, Spanos was inducted into the National Football Foundation Leadership Hall of Fame at YouTube Theater in SoFi Stadium.

Among other honors received over the years, the Association of Fundraising Professionals recognized Spanos and the Chargers as San Diego's Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation; the Salvation Army named Dean and Susie their Most Valuable Philanthropists; they received the Huntington's Disease Society of America's top national award — the Harold Leventhal Community Service Award and national Pop Warner's top honor, The Warner Award was bestowed on Spanos for his ongoing commitment to youth football and the Little Scholars education initiative. The San Diego Business Journal presented the family with their Outstanding Community Service Award for family-owned businesses; Dean and Susie received the Herb Klein Spirit of San Diego Award from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce — their highest community honor and the Rotary Club of San Diego's prestigious Heilbron Award was presented in recognition of the team's "pay it forward spirit — giving not only of itself but also its professional expertise to advance the well-being and success of others in the community."

In 2006, President George W. Bush appointed Spanos to the Board of Trustees for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Spanos has the unique distinction of being a second-generation recipient of the renowned Ellis Island Medal of Honor, received 16 years after his father was similarly honored. 

BUSINESSMAN AND FAMILY MAN

Dean Alexander Spanos was born in Stockton, Calif. He earned varsity letters in football and golf at Lincoln High School and later received Lincoln High School's Hall of Fame Award, which honors alumni whose contributions and accomplishments are representative of the school. Dean was recognized for his achievements in the areas of business as well as athletics.

Spanos continued his golfing career at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, graduating in 1972 with a degree in business administration. He maintains close ties with his alma mater, having served as a regent at the university. An avid golfer post-college, Dean has been on the winning team in five Pro-Am tournaments, including back-to-back wins in 1990 at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and the AT&T National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach with partner Hubert Green. He successfully defended his title at the Hope Classic the following year. Spanos' first win came with Green at the 1985 Bing Crosby Pro-Am at Pebble Beach, where he was awarded the "Most Valuable Amateur" trophy for supplying the most help to his professional partner.

Susie Spanos is a spokeswoman for the NFL's annual A Crucial Catch cancer screening campaign and is a breast cancer survivor herself. She was honored as a "Woman of Dedication" by the Salvation Army and was also named the Woman of the Year by the San Diego Leukemia Society for her philanthropic work in the community. As a long-time arts patron, Susie is a member of the Angels of the Arts group for the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, promoting excellence in the performing arts through cultural and social activities. She currently also serves on the Board of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, a nonprofit studio that furthers the art of dance with a focus on disenfranchised Black and Latino communities.

In addition to leading the Playmakers, comprised of the wives and girlfriends of Chargers football players and coaches, Susie also currently serves as a Board member for the NFL Foundation overseeing the millions of dollars provided by the Foundation into communities across the country. Most recently, as the COVID-19 pandemic raged throughout Southern California, Susie brought together friends and Chargers' talent to host a virtual cooking fundraiser to raise much-needed funds for the Midnight Mission's HomeLight Facility, serving families experiencing homelessness in Inglewood, Calif.

Over the years, Susie has also supported numerous other charitable organizations including the San Diego Women's Foundation, the Salvation Army and Las Patronas. Susie was also a driving force in supporting and growing the San Diego Blood Bank's umbilical cord blood program and helping the Chargers' annual blood drive become one of the most successful in the nation.

Dean and Susie have two sons, A.G. and John, four grandsons and a granddaughter.