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For our 30th Annual Celebration of Life Cancer Gala, we are extremely pleased to announce our two honorary co-chairs: Doug Hill, of
WJLA fame, and Ted Leonsis, founder and chairman of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. These two men are sure to make this year’s gala “the biggest party on the Bay!”
Meteorologist Doug Hill has been a Calvert County resident for the past 10 years, and he is “thrilled to be an Honorary Chair of the 30th Annual Celebration of Life Gala.” After having lost his mother to lung cancer 20 years ago, he has been a long-time supporter of the American Cancer Society. And while he recognizes that this year’s gala is going to be the biggest party on the Bay, he encourages you to remember that it is also a fund-raiser. Knowing
first hand the generous spirit and nature of the people of Calvert County, he stated, “I am confident, even during these challenging
financial times, that generous spirit will make the evening a huge success.”
Ted Leonsis of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which boasts reign over the Capitals, the Wizards and the Verizon Center, accepted the invitation of being an Honorary Chair at this year’s gala “with great pleasure.” He noted, “It’s a tremendous
testament to the American Cancer Society of Calvert County and the local community that this event is celebrating its 30th year, and has raised nearly $4 million. Both are equally great accomplishments.” Furthermore, Leonsis believes the
fight against cancer can be fought in multiple ways – some which may go beyond donating funds. “Supporting local events helps raise awareness, and volunteering your time assists current cancer patients and their families. It’s a deadly disease, but we all can play a role in helping to support research, education and patient services.”
Join us and our Honorary Co-Chairs, Thursday, August 4th, for a night of fabulous food and cocktails as you enjoy waterfront views. At this year’s gala, in addition to these two wonderful gentlemen, we are inviting back all of the chairs and co-chairs of the past 29 years. Help us make a record breaking donation to the American Cancer Society our 30th Anniversary Gala.
We look forward to seeing you for a memorable evening!
Doug Hill has earned a reputation as one of Washington’s most accurate and entertaining weather forecasters. As
 Vice President, Weather and Chief Meteorologist, he brings nearly 30 years experience to his daily broadcasts on
ABC7/WJLA-TV News at 5 and 6. Hill also provides morning and afternoon radio forecasts on Washington’s WTOP 103.5 FM.
Hill has been honored with a Washington Emmy Award for broadcast excellence. He has also been awarded the “Seal of Approval” from the American Meteorological Society.
Prior to joining ABC7/WJLA-TV, Hill served for 16 years as Chief Meteorologist for the Washington CBS
affiliate.
He began his broadcast career in 1978 at WWBT-TV in Richmond, Virginia. In 1980 he made the move to Detroit where he worked for both WDIV-TV and WXYZ-TV, before returning in 1984 to Washington.
Hill attended Towson State College, before he entered the United States Air Force. Most of his four-year tour was spent at Andrews AFB, where he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. After his military service, Hill became a Prince George’s County Police
Officer where served for six years until Mike Buchanan and John Harter convinced him he could make the unlikely switch from cop to broadcaster. And the rest is history.
A native Marylander, Hill, his wife Mary-Ann and their children, horse, dog and cats live in Calvert County.
Ted Leonsis is the founder, chairman and majority owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which comprises three professional sports teams – the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Washington Wizards (NBA) and the Washington Mystics (WNBA) – as well as Verizon Center. The company also operates Kettler Capitals Iceplex (the Capitals training facility and front office) and George Mason University’s Patriot Center.
Leonsis retired from active management of AOL in 2006, where during the previous 13 years he held a number of senior positions, including vice chairman and president. Since his retirement from active management at AOL, Leonsis retains the position of vice chairman emeritus. At a May 2010 ceremony celebrating AOL’s 25th anniversary, one of the buildings on AOL’s Virginia campus was renamed the Leonsis Creative Center in his honor.
Recently, Leonsis was chairman of Revolution Money, which provides secure payments through an Internet-based platform, and in 2009 was sold to American Express.
Leonsis is now on the board of directors at American Express. He is currently chairman of Clearspring Technologies, the largest online content sharing network, which connects publishers, services and advertisers to audiences on the social web. Over the past 20 years he has been a board member or early investor in a number of successful technology companies, from Google to
Groupon. In 2008 Leonsis founded SnagFilms, which enables online audiences to
find, watch, share and support thousands of documentary films. In addition to being the Internet’s leading site for watching and sharing
nonfiction films, SnagFilms owns indieWIRE, the leading news, information and networking site for independent-minded filmmakers, the industry and moviegoers alike.
While working on documentaries and establishing SnagFilms, Leonsis coined and championed the term “filmanthropy.” It is his unique way of combining film and philanthropy, raising the awareness of important issues with the goal of promoting change by increasing volunteerism and activating charitable giving.
Leonsis is a committed philanthropist and is actively involved with numerous charities, including Best Buddies, D.C. Central Kitchen, ePals, See Forever Foundation, Street Soccer USA, Venture Philanthropy Partners, YouthAIDS and others through the work of the Leonsis Foundation.
Among his many honors, Leonsis has been named Washington’s Businessman of the Year, a Washingtonian of the Year, one of the 20 most
influential people in sports, one of America’s most creative executives and a top 10 entrepreneur of the year. Leonsis blogs daily at TedsTake.com. Originally from Brooklyn and later, Lowell, MA., Leonsis, his wife and two children now reside in Potomac, MD., after purchasing the Marwood Estate.
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