After seven years of molding the San Francisco 49ers into a
Super Bowl contender, Carmen A. Policy now directs his challenges
toward rebuilding the expansion Cleveland Browns. Policy was is the
president and chief executive officer of the Cleveland Browns and
has held both positions since the franchise returned to Cleveland
in 1998.
Policy and owner Al Learner worked hard to develop a football
and front office organization for an expansion team, which is rich
in history and legacy. Formal transfer of ownership from the Browns
Trust to Policy and Lerner occurred on Oct. 23, 1998. Policy is a
10 percent equity partner in the franchise.
Policy's return to the Mahoning Valley as the 1997 "Penguin of
the Year" was a fitting tribute to his excellent leadership as a
top executive in professional sports.
His well earned reputation as one of the preeminent executives
in professional sport was solidified in 1994 when he was named NFL
Executive of the Year by both The Sporting News and Pro Football
Weekly.
The Sporting News award was determined by a vote of NFL owners
and executives. That honor was a fitting tribute to Policy, who has
impressed his colleagues and counterparts with his command of the
numerous complex issues he has faced since taking over as the
49ers' chief executive officer in January 1991. None of those
tasks, however, was as daunting as what Policy faced following the
1993 football season.
Policy and the 49ers' organization were given a mandate to build
a championship team - a mammoth project by itself, but even more
complicated by the fact that it would have to be accomplished
during the first year of the NFL's first-ever salary cap. And while
most NFL teams followed a conservative approach to signing players,
Policy orchestrated an aggressive, creative style in managing the
new salary constraints.
With the unwavering support of 49ers' owner Edward J. DeBartolo
Jr., Policy's guidance helped San Francisco upgrade its talent pool
with quality draft picks and significant free agents. The end
result was an unprecedented fifth Super Bowl for the 49ers, and for
Policy came the distinction of being known around the NFL as the
"Master of the Cap".
It is that type of swift, decisive management coupled with a
strong personal tie to DeBartolo, that has been the trademark of
Policy's presidency and has led to his being named by GQ Magazine
and The Sporting News as one of the most influential people in
professional sport.
He has a long association with the 49ers organization dating
back to DeBartolo's hiring Bill Walsh in 1979. Having worked
closely with DeBartolo for many years as his personal attorney, he
played a key role in shaping the course for the organization that
would be viewed as the hallmark sports franchise of the 1980's and
'90's.
Policy, who admittedly enjoys his close working relationship
with DeBartolo, joined the 49ers' front office in 1983 as
vice-president and legal counsel. He has been involved in all legal
and business matters dating back to his promotion to executive
vice-president and legal counsel in '89 and was further rewarded
for his numerous years of hard work with his ascendancy to club
president in 1991.
Often recognized for his involvement with social causes, Policy
actively participates in the team's involvement with local civic
programs, area humanitarian ventures, and other community projects.
His dedication to the area of public service was the impetus behind
his being honored by several community and charitable groups.
His management expertise has not been limited to the 49ers, as
he plays an active role in league relations, as well as being
extremely active in community development. Policy is also a member
of the NFL Finance Committee.
Policy also serves on the Board of Directors of the Bay Area
Council and the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. He
was selected in 1995 by this important and prestigious organization
to receive its Silver Cable Car Award, which is given in
recognition of significant contributions to the development of the
San Francisco business community. He also was recently honored by
being selected to receive The Mayor's Fiscal Advisory Committee
Award in recognition of managerial excellence.
A product of Youngstown's Ursuline High School, he graduated
from Youngstown State University in 1963, and received his Juris
Doctorate Degree in 1966 from Georgetown University Law Center. He
was listed in the four existing editions of the highly respected
publication The Best Lawyers in America. Inclusion is a significant
honor since it is based on peer evaluations.
Policy has five children: James, a pediatric-orthopedic surgeon;
Daniel, a Notre Dame and Hastings College of the Law graduate in
1995, presently an attorney; Edward, a Notre Dame and Stanford Law
School graduate, who is affiliated with the San Francisco law firm
of Heller, Ehurman, White & McAuliffe; Kerry a graduate of
Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and a MBA graduate from Syracuse
University; and Kathleen, an attorney.
