Monfort brothers

Monfort brothers

Charlie and Dick (Richard) Monfort are the primary owners of the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team. Both grew up in Greeley, Colorado and are sons to Kenneth Monfort; previous owner of Monfort of Colorado, Inc. a meatpacking and distributing company that was acquired by ConAgra Foods in 1987. Both Monfort brothers are known throughout the Colorado community for their donations to local organizations and family business.

Dick Monfort

Dick (Richard) L. Monfort (born April 27th, 1954) was the first of the two Monfort brothers. Dick graduated from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Dick has worked for the Monfort of Colorado, Inc. family business since 1974. First as a cattle buyer till 1979, vice president federal cattle procurement from 1979-81, group vice president of cattle products 1983-1984, executive vice president 1984-1987, and was the chief executive officer at ConAgra Red Meat Cos. Along with becoming the vice chairmen of the Colorado Rockies joining his brother Charlie as share owners of the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team on December 8th, 1997. In 2005, Dick and his brother Charlie purchased Jerry McMorris’ controlling financial interest in the Colorado Rockies. In addition to owning share in the Colorado Rockies, Dick also owns share in the Hyatt Grand Champion Hotel of Palm Springs, the Hilltop Steak House in Boston, and other real estate ventures in Colorado. At the University of Northern Colorado, Dick serves on the board of trustees along with the board of directors at University of Colorado Hospital, Denver Zoo, and the Colorado Economic Development Board. Dick now resides in Greeley, Colorado with his wife Christine with their three children.

Charlie Monfort

Charlie K. Monfort (born October 30, 1959) is the second of the two Monfort brothers. Aside from being a founding member of the Colorado Rockies, Charlie graduated from the University of Utah (Salt Lake City) in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Management where he served as president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Charlie started working for the family business Monfort of Colorado, Inc. also in 1988 as president of International Sales until 1996. In 1996, Charlie became president of ConAgra Foods International; later leaving in 1998 to concentrate on his previous commitment to the Colorado Rockies. In 1992, Charlie became one of the founding partners of the Colorado Rockies and served as chairman and CEO of the Colorado Rockies since March 31st, 2003 succeeding the current role from president Keli McGregor. Later in 2005 Charlie and his brother Dick purchased McMorris' finiancail interest in the Colorado Rockies. Charlie also serves on the Board of Trustees at Mesa State College; Grand Junction, Colorado. All along with a being board member of the Kempe Foundation, the Special Olympics, and the Monfort Family Foundation. Charlie now resides with his wife Vanessa Monfort and their four kids Kenny, Ciara, Lucas, and Danica in Greeley, Colorado.

Colorado Rockies affiliations

On September 2nd, 1992, Jerry McMorris and Charlie Monfort purchased the controlling financial interest of the Colorado Rockies expansion team. Charlie’s brother Dick Monfort was also announced Vice Chairman of the Colorado Rockies, on December 8th, 1997. On March 31st, 2003 Charlie was named CEO of the Colorado Rockies succeeding president Keli McGregor who had taken the role from Jerry McMorris since in 2001. In 2005, Dick and Charlie Monfort purchased Jerry McMorris’ financial interest in the team becoming the primary owners.

The Colorado Rockies led Major League Baseball the first seven seasons of the franchise in attendance under CEO Jerry McMorris. Since 1999 the attendance at Coors field dropped as low as 26th out of 30 teams to; 21st in 2007. This has caused uproar from fans and media alike for change from the Monfort brothers with declining attendance and loosing seasons. The Colorado Rockies also have a low salary cap for its players ranking 28th out of 30 teams in 2006 at $41,233,000. Many fans and media argue that the Monfort brothers were unwilling to put enough capital to recruit good players for a playoff season. The Monfort brothers are a great proponent of the farm system to develop and grow players in the minor and major leagues.

This argument continues today, even after the Colorado Rockies historic run in the 2007 season winning 21 out of 22 games; getting the franchises first birth to the World Series. Where they were swept by the Boston Red Sox in four games. In 2009, the Rockies management started to change with the firing of Clint Hurdle after an 11-17 start to the season. Under the new skipper Jim Tracy the Colorado Rockies returned to the playoffs for the third time in franchise history. Eventually losing to the defending world champion Philadelphia Phillies in four games.