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As one of the National Football League's most innovative and versatile front office executives, Charlotte Anderson's 18 years of NFL experience with the Dallas Cowboys have enabled her to assume a position of leadership for women in American professional sports.
It is a role she has enthusiastically embraced as part of a family passion that has guided the organization since Jerry Jones' purchase of the Cowboys in February of 1989.
A key player in shaping the success and achievement of one of the world's most visible sports franchises, Anderson's contributions to the Cowboys have included the introduction of cutting edge concepts in the areas of community service, philanthropy, entertainment, marketing and merchandising. She has also supervised the fortunes and travels of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders-often considered to be the most recognized and accomplished organization of its kind in the world.
A signature element of Anderson's service to the Cowboys has been her forthright approach to making a difference in the lives of others--and no where is that commitment more evident than the Thanksgiving Day halftime celebration that annually kicks off the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign.
In 1997, Anderson introduced a groundbreaking approach to fund-raising on the world-wide stage by focusing a national television audience on Texas Stadium and the unique opportunity to kick off the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign. By combining the powerful elements of network television, top flight musical entertainers and the traditional appeal of the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game, Anderson set the wheels in motion to help the Army raise hundreds of millions of dollars and touch lives across the globe.
Since that initial halftime presentation which featured the musical talents of Reba McEntire, the Cowboys and the Salvation Army have helped create a new holiday tradition with the artistic assistance of Randy Travis (1998), Clint Black (1999), Jessica Simpson and Billy Gilman (2000), Creed (2001), LeAnn Rimes (2002), Toby Keith (2003), Destiny's Child (2004), Cheryl Crow (2005) and Carrie Underwood (2006).
In recognition of her family's alliance with the Salvation Army, Anderson's parents, Gene and Jerry Jones, were presented the Army's Partner of the Year Award in 1997. Beginning in 1994, Anderson has also directed the Jones family's commitment to host and underwrite the costs for the Super Lunch, a fundraising event for The Salvation Army Irving Corps Community Center and its special projects. This annual event has raised more than $1 million since its inception.
In addition, The Gene and Jerry Jones Family Center for Children opened in Irving in 1998 in conjunction with The Salvation Army. The center offers affordable childcare for low-income families and was made possible through gifts from the Jones family and the Cowboys that exceeded $1.2 million.
Anderson's involvement in the daily operation of the Cowboys organization extends over a wide range of responsibilities. As the team's Executive Vice President of Brand Management/President of Charities, she manages the Cowboys year-round efforts in community service and philanthropic involvement-including player appearances, charitable donations of authentic team memorabilia, and the annual development and distribution of foundation funds produced by The Gene and Jerry Jones Family/Dallas Cowboys Charities.
As president of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Anderson has further developed the international profile of the world's premier professional sports cheerleading organization. In the late 1990s, the Cowboys Cheerleaders surpassed the legendary Bob Hope in total number of USO visits made to U.S. military installations around the world. In addition to their strong tradition of fulfilling community service obligations, the Cheerleaders are featured in numerous national television appearances, including a "Making of the Team" television series that airs nationally, in conjunction with the selection of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
As one of just three Executive vice presidents in the Cowboys organization, Anderson plays an integral role in the design and theme of the franchise's various presentations in a wide variety of areas that range from officially licensed apparel, uniform design, team memorabilia, stadium amenities and locker room d?cor.
In the area of special events, she has been actively involved in the direction of the team's annual training camp as it has touched millions of fans while moving throughout the State of Texas and to California. She coordinated the organization's travel and accompanying activities for three successful Super Bowl trips following the world championship seasons of 1992, 1993 and 1995--as well as the events surrounding the Ring of Honor inductions of nine of Dallas Cowboys legends. In 1997 she introduced the "Let Us Play Sports Camp for Girls" to the Metroplex. The camp encourages involvement in athletics for inner-city girls, ages 12 to 15, for the purpose of building confidence, character and self-esteem in the lives of at-risk youths.
Under Anderson's guidance, the Dallas Cowboys Kickoff Luncheon has become the most prominent source of annual revenue for the Happy Hill Farm Academy. The luncheon and the team's support of the Dallas Cowboys Cookbook provide funding for the privately operated school for children with family backgrounds that are unable to meet their special needs.
Anderson's spirit of involvement in the local community extends far beyond the realm of professional football. Since coming to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area in 1989 she has been actively involved with leadership roles in a wide range of organizations that include: The Boys and Girls Clubs of America (regional trustee); Southwestern Medical Foundation (board member); the Presidents Advisory Council for The Dallas Center for Performing Arts Foundation; Dallas Center for Performing Arts Foundation (planning committee member); TACA board of governors; The Salvation Army (board of directors); The Rise School (board of directors); Dallas All Sports Association (board member) and Dallas Symphony (board of directors).
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Charlotte Jones Anderson (7/26/66) is a 1988 graduate of Stanford University where she earned a B.S. degree in human biology. She is married to Shy Anderson who has been the Chief Operation Officer of the Dallas Desperados since the inception of the Area Football League team in 2001. The Anderson's live in Dallas with their three children: daughter Haley (6/13/93) and sons Shy (3/14/95) and Paxton (1/28/01). | 