Rose Bowl Institute President Charlie Firestone Will Introduce Rotarians to the Stadium’s New Nonprofit Think Tank

Charlie Firestone, president of the Rose Bowl Institute, will introduce the new organization Wednesday when he serves as guest speaker at the Pasadena Rotary Club’s weekly virtual meeting.

The title of Firestone’s speech to the Rotary Club, which starts at noon and is accessible via Zoom, is “Sportsmanship. Leadership. Citizenship: An Introduction to the new Rose Bowl Institute.”

Firestone will be introduced by former Pasadena City Manager Phil Hawkey.

Established in August, the Rose Bowl Institute is the Rose Bowl’s first-ever nonprofit think tank whose purpose is to champion sportsmanship and leverage the power of sports to unite people. As explained on its website, the institute intends to “inspire youth and enhance community life through educational programs, intimate dialogues and awards.”

Firestone was previously vice president and executive vice president of The Aspen Institute, where for 30 years he was executive director of its communications and society program.

Firestone was director of the communications law program and adjunct professor of law at UCLA Law School. He also was the first president of the Los Angeles Board of Telecommunications Commissioners.

Firestone argued two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and many others before the U.S. Court of Appeals as an appellate attorney for the Federal Communications Commission, director of litigation for a public interest law firm, and in private practice in Los Angeles.

Firestone graduated from Amherst College, where he captained the wrestling team, and Duke Law School. He resides in Santa Barbara with his wife, sculptor Pattie Porter Firestone.

Wednesday’s virtual meeting is open to the public. To join the meeting, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86287855806?pwd=WUJBY0RGdjV2UUpLWXlRTWpWS1Vldz09. The meeting ID is 862 8785 5806 and the password is 994656.

If you need help with Zoom, call Tammy Silver at (626) 755-4272 or email tamarasilver@gmail.com.

For more information, visit www.pasadenarotary.com.