- Dan Gilbert (businessman)
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For other people of the same name, see Daniel Gilbert (disambiguation).
Daniel Gilbert Born January 17, 1962
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.Alma mater Michigan State University
Wayne State University Law SchoolOccupation Businessman, sports franchise owner, attorney Years active 1985-present (as businessman)
2005-present (as owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)Children 5 Daniel "Dan" Gilbert (born January 17, 1962) is the chairman and founder of Quicken Loans Inc., the majority owner of the National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers and American Hockey League's Lake Erie Monsters, and operator of the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. [1]
Contents
Career
Quicken Loans
Gilbert founded Rock Financial in 1985. The company grew into one of the largest independent mortgage lenders in the country and in the late 1990s, launched its Internet strategy and quickly positioned itself as the fastest growing direct mortgage lender on the Internet.[1]
In 2000, software maker Intuit Inc. purchased Rock Financial. The national web operation was renamed "Quicken Loans" and grew substantially as the leading provider of direct-to-consumer home loans on the Internet, offering mortgages in all 50 states. Gilbert remained at the company as its CEO. In 2002, he led a small group of private investors and purchased Quicken Loans and its affiliated national title company, Title Source, Inc., back from Intuit. To this day, Gilbert continues to serve as the chairman of Quicken Loans Inc.[1]
In 2010, Quicken Loans moved its headquarters and 1,700 of its team members to downtown Detroit, where Gilbert and the company are helping lead a revitalization of Detroit’s urban core. The company plans to move another 2,000 team members from the suburbs to the city over the next 12 months.[1]
Cleveland Cavaliers
Gilbert became majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers in March 2005 and undertook a complete overhaul of the front office, coaching staff, player personnel and game presentation.[2]
On July 8, 2010, NBA basketball player LeBron James announced to the world that he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat on a highly criticized[3] ESPN television special dubbed, "The Decision."[4] Following the special, Gilbert published an open letter to Cleveland Cavaliers fans on the team's website in Comic Sans font, [5] in which he strongly criticized how James made his announcement.[6]
On July 12, 2010, NBA Commissioner David Stern fined Gilbert $100,000 for his remarks in the letter.[7] Though some members of the media criticized Gilbert for this letter, many Cleveland Cavaliers fans embraced him for it and even offered to pay for the fine. Gilbert instead insisted to donate the money to charity.
Other businesses and investments
Gilbert is a founding partner in private equity group Rockbridge Growth Equity LLC (RBE). The partnership invests in growing businesses in the financial services, Internet technology, consumer-direct marketing, and the sports and entertainment industries. RBE has significant investments in Northcentral University, Protect America, Ready Financial, One on One Marketing, Connect America and One Reverse Mortgage.[8]
In addition, Gilbert is a principal of Detroit Venture Partners, a venture capital firm that funds start-up and early-stage technology companies in Detroit.[9]
Gilbert is also invested and involved in the operation of several consumer-based technology-centered businesses, including Fathead, Veritix, Xenith, ePrize, StyleCaster and Quizzle.[1]
In November 2009, Gilbert and a group of partners successfully backed a state-wide referendum to bring casino gaming to Ohio’s four largest cities. Through a joint venture with Caesars Entertainment Corporation, the groups are developing and will operate urban-based casinos in both Cleveland and Cincinnati.[1]
Gilbert launched Bizdom U in 2007. The non-profit entrepreneurial academy trains, mentors and finances business builders in their start-up enterprises in the city of [[Detroit.[1]
Gilbert serves on the boards of the Cleveland Clinic, the Children’s Hospital Foundation, an affiliate of the Washington D.C.-based Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC), and the Children’s Tumor Foundation.[1]
Detroit initiatives
Quicken Loans moved its headquarters and 1,700 of its team members to downtown Detroit in August 2010, where Gilbert and the company are helping lead a revitalization of Detroit’s urban core.[1]
In January 2011, Gilbert purchased the historic Madison Theatre Building located in downtown Detroit.[10] In April 2011, he purchased Chase Tower, a building located in Detroit's central business district, and Two Detroit Center, a parking garage located just a couple of blocks away. Just a few months later in September 2011, Gilbert purchased the Dime Building and the First National Building, both skyscrapers in Detroit's Financial District.[11][12]
When Quicken Loans and its family of companies complete their occupancy of both the Madison Theatre Building and Chase Tower, it will employ approximately 4,000 full-time team members in downtown Detroit.[13]
Personal life
Gilbert was born in Detroit, Michigan. He earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University, a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School and is a member of the Michigan State Bar Association.[1] Gilbert was named one of the Forbes 400 in the magazine’s 2006 rankings.[14] He resides in Michigan with his wife and their five children.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Quicken Loans Leadership Profiles". QuickenLoans.com. http://www.quickenloans.com/about/press-room/management-profiles. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
- ^ "Cleveland Cavaliers Front Office Profiles". NBA.com/Cavaliers. http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/front_office.html. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "LeBron James' Decision a Cruel Blow to His Hometown". AOL. http://www.aolnews.com/2010/07/09/lebrons-james-decision-a-cruel-blow-to-his-hometown/. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "LeBron James' decision: the transcript". ESPN. http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/17853/lebron-james-decision-the-transcript. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ ""Cavs Owner Goes Online To Rip LeBron A New One… In Comic Sans"". Techcrunch. http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/08/cleveland-cavs-owner-letter-lebron/.
- ^ "Dan Gilbert letter: Cavaliers owner unloads on LeBron James". The Washington Post. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizardsinsider/2010/07/cavaliers-owner-dan-gilbert-un.html.
- ^ "Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert Fined $100K for LeBron Comments". SB Nation. 12 July 2010. http://www.sbnation.com/2010/7/12/1566461/cavaliers-dan-gilbert-fined-100k-lebron.
- ^ "Rockbridge Growth Equity Website". RBEquity.com. http://www.rbequity.com/. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "Detroit Venture Partners' DNA". DetroitVenturePartners.com. http://detroitventurepartners.com/dna.html. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
- ^ "Quicken Loans Group Buys Madison Theatre Building". QuickenLoans.com. http://www.quickenloans.com/about/press-room/quicken-loans-group-buys-madison-theatre-building. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
- ^ "Dan Gilbert to Buy Yet Another Building". Crain's Detroit Business. http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20110621/STAFFBLOG08/110629981/dan-gilbert-to-buy-yet-another-building. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
- ^ "Dan Gilbert Closes on First National Building". Crain's Detroit Business. http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20110830/FREE/110839991/dan-gilbert-closes-on-first-national-building. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
- ^ "Quicken Loans Group Closes Purchase of both Chase Tower (Detroit) and Two Detroit Center Garage". QuickenLoans.com. http://www.quickenloans.com/about/press-room/quicken-loans-group-closes-purchase-of-both. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
- ^ "Forbes' 400 Richest Americans 2006". Forbes.com. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/54/biz_06rich400_The-400-Richest-Americans_Rank_15.html. Retrieved 2011-04-22.
External links
Cleveland Cavaliers Founded in 1970 • Based in Cleveland, Ohio The Franchise Arenas Head coaches General Managers D-League Affiliate Canton ChargeEastern Conference
Titles (1)Central Division Titles (3) Administration Owners: Dan Gilbert (majority owner), Gary Gilbert, Usher Raymond, Gordon Gund (minority owners) • General Manager: Chris Grant • Head Coach: Byron ScottRetired Jerseys Hall of Famers Culture and Lore The Shot • Ted Stepien • Joe Tait • The Miracle of Richfield • Whammer • Moondog • Sir C.C. • "Wrong Rim Ricky" • Cleveland Rocks • The Decision • Gilbert's Open Letter • 26 in a Row • "What's not to like?"Rivals Media TVWUAB • Fox Sports OhioRadioAnnouncersJohn Michael • Jim Chones • Fred McLeod • Austin Carr • Jeff PhelpsCategories:- 1962 births
- Living people
- American businesspeople
- Cleveland Cavaliers owners
- Lake Erie Monsters
- Michigan State University alumni
- People from Oakland County, Michigan
- Wayne State University Law School alumni
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