Jamie McCourt
{{Short description|American diplomat, attorney, & executive (born 1953)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Jamie McCourt
|image = Jamie D. McCourt.jpg
|caption = Jamie McCourt in 2017
|office = United States Ambassador to
France and Monaco
|president = Donald Trump
|term_start = December 18, 2017
|term_end = January 20, 2021
|predecessor = Jane D. Hartley
|successor = Denise Bauer
|birth_name = Jamie D. Luskin
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|12|5}}
|birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
|death_date =
|death_place =
|party = Republican
|spouse = {{marriage|Frank McCourt|1979|2011|end=div}}
|education = Georgetown University (BA)
University of Maryland, Baltimore (JD)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MBA)
}}
Jamie D. McCourt ({{nee}} Luskin; born December 5, 1953)U.S. Public Records Index Vol 2 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), 2010. is the former United States Ambassador to France and Monaco who served from 2017 to 2021. She was confirmed by the Senate and sworn in on November 2, 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://fr.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/|title=Ambassador Jamie D. McCourt {{!}} U.S. Embassy & Consulates in France|work=U.S. Embassy & Consulates in France|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-date=June 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605065346/https://fr.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/|url-status=dead}} Ambassador McCourt is also the United States Permanent Observer to the Council of Europe. McCourt is the founder and CEO of Jamie Enterprises and a former executive of the Los Angeles Dodgers.Multiple sources:
- [http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20040129&content_id=632080&vkey=pr_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la Dodgers welcome the McCourt era] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803085309/http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20040129&content_id=632080&vkey=pr_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la |date=August 3, 2017 }}, Los Angeles Dodgers, January 29, 2004.
- {{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5895267|title=McCourt wins court ruling|publisher=ESPN|date=December 7, 2010}}
- {{cite news|url=http://www.bolerlaw.com/blog/2010/12/jamie-mccourt-gets-the-answer-she-wants-shes-dodgers-co-owner.shtml|title=Jamie McCourt Gets The Answer She Wants: She's Dodgers Co Owner|date=December 2010|work=Boler law blog}}
- {{cite news|url=http://abovethelaw.com/2010/12/drafting-fail-court-rules-jamie-mccourt-owns-a-piece-of-the-l-a-dodgers/?rf=1|title=Drafting Fail: Court Rules Jamie McCourt Owns A Piece of the L.A. Dodgers|date=December 2010|work=Above the Law}} She became the highest-ranking woman in Major League Baseball, appointed first as vice chairman of the Dodgers in 2004, then president in 2005, and finally CEO in 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2009/03/16/daily17.html|title=Dodgers promote Jamie McCourt, Dennis Mannion|date=March 16, 2009|work=Bizjournals.com}}[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/2009-03-17-3680763423_x.htm Jamie McCourt gets Dodgers promotion], USA Today, March 17, 2009.
Early life
Jamie McCourt (née Luskin) was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Jewish parents.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-mccourt-marriage-20100824,0,2274237.story|title=A baseball love story veers off the base paths|last=Hall|first=Carla|date=August 23, 2010|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 9, 2010}} Her father, Jack Luskin, ran the Luskin's chain of appliance stores in Maryland.[https://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2005-08-23-mccourt-cover_x.htm USA Today article 8/23/05] As a 17-year-old freshman at Georgetown University, she met Frank McCourt, whom she would marry in 1979.
Education
McCourt earned a B.A. degree in French at Georgetown University (1975), a J.D. degree at the University of Maryland School of Law (1978) and an M.B.A. degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management.[http://www.law.umaryland.edu/about/news_details.html?news=390 Biodata at University of Maryland webpage] She also attended La Sorbonne and studied culinary arts in Aix-en-Provence.
Career
For fifteen years she was a practicing attorney, engaged in international and securities law in New York City as well as in corporate, real estate, and family law in Boston. She then spent ten years as vice president and general counsel of the McCourt Co., the family real estate development firm in Boston.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sloansportsconference.com/people/jamie-mccourt/|title=Jamie McCourt - MIT Sloan Analytics Conference|work=MIT Sloan Analytics Conference|access-date=March 30, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=March 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331120858/http://www.sloansportsconference.com/people/jamie-mccourt/|url-status=dead}}
She relocated from Boston to Los Angeles in 2004 to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers and also joined the Dodgers' front-office organization as an executive after the team was acquired.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1722375|title=Owners unanimously approve sale of Dodgers |date=January 30, 2004|website=ESPN.com|access-date=March 30, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://la.curbed.com/2014/3/20/10129438/jamie-mccourt-trying-to-sell-holmby-hills-house-for-55-million|title=Jamie McCourt Trying to Sell Holmby Hills House For $55 Million|date=March 20, 2014|website=Curbed LA|access-date=March 30, 2017}}
In September 2008, the McCourts purchased the Los Angeles Marathon.[http://www.allbusiness.com/sports-recreation/sports-recreation-facilities-venues/11764612-1.html Los Angeles Business Journal, Jan 5, 2009]
She was a visiting professor at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.[http://www.jamieenterprises.net/bio.html Jamie Enterprises bio] Her course, "The Pursuit of Leadership: A Female Perspective," was designed for women and, according to the UCLA Newsroom, was considered one of the most popular courses in the Anderson School curriculum.{{Cite web|url=http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/jamie-mccourt-s-course-is-a-home-87016|title=Jamie McCourt's course is a home run|last=Soderburg|first=Wendy|website=UCLA Newsroom|language=en|access-date=March 30, 2017}}
In 2009, McCourt launched Jamie Enterprises. She has invested in high-value real estate, biotech and tech start ups. Investments include ZipCar, Kite Pharma and Heal.{{Cite news|url=http://hauteliving.com/2016/05/jamie-mccourt-talks-new-beginnings-and-self-sufficiency/611557/|title=Jamie McCourt Talks New Beginnings and Self-Sufficiency|date=May 9, 2016|work=Haute Living|access-date=March 30, 2017|language=en-US}}
In 2013, she bought a 22-acre vineyard estate in Napa Valley, California Rutherford region for $11.25 million with the intention of both living there part-time and continuing to produce the property's wine.[http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-jamie-mccourt-vineyard-20131111,0,7205547.story?track=rss&dlvrit=1115922#axzz2kNrqJX2z Jamie McCourt gets back to her Parisian roots -- buys Napa vineyard][https://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2013/11/08/former-dodgers-ceo-pays-11-25-million-for-napa-vineyard-estate/?mod=WSJBlog Former Dodgers CEO Pays $11.25 Million for Napa Vineyard Estate] As of 2016, she planned to produce a cabernet sauvignon for release in 2017.
In 2015, she was a keynote speaker at the Sloan Women in Management conference at MIT where she shared her personal story and called for women to seek a secure financial future.{{Cite web|url=http://mitsloan.mit.edu/newsroom/articles/breaking-the-mold-conference-highlights-personal-finance-and-unconscious-bias/|title=Breaking the Mold conference highlights personal finance and unconscious bias - MIT Sloan School of Management|website=mitsloan.mit.edu|access-date=March 30, 2017}} McCourt also spoke at institutions such as Harvard and Columbia University encouraging women to be financially self-sufficient and in control of their finances.
In 2016, McCourt served as Presidential Trustee and California State Co-chair for Trump Victory.{{Cite web|url=https://gop.com/rnc-and-donald-j-trump-for-president-announce-2016-state-victory-finance-chairs/|title=RNC And Donald J. Trump For President Announce 2016 State Victory Finance Chairs|website=GOP|language=en|access-date=March 30, 2017}} She then was on the Transition Finance Committee for then President-Elect Donald Trump.{{Cite news|url=http://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/politics/news/a8772/steven-mnuchin-trump-transition-fundraiser/|title=A Look at the Wealthy Supporters Who Are Funding Trump's Transition|date=November 29, 2016|work=Town & Country|access-date=March 30, 2017|language=en}}
Los Angeles Dodgers
In 2004, the McCourts purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers. From 2004 to 2012, McCourt was the president and CEO of the Dodgers. She began as vice chairman, became president in 2005 and then CEO in 2009.{{Cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/2009-03-17-3680763423_x.htm|title=Jamie McCourt gets Dodgers promotion - USATODAY.com|website=usatoday30.usatoday.com|access-date=March 30, 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1722375|title=Owners unanimously approve sale of Dodgers|date=January 30, 2004|website=ESPN.com|access-date=March 30, 2017}} Under her leadership, the Dodgers set a club record for single season attendance and won back-to back division titles for the first time in 30 years.{{Cite news|url=http://magazinec.com/decor/perfect-landing|title=Perfect Landing|work=C Magazine|access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-date=August 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801233719/http://magazinec.com/decor/perfect-landing|url-status=dead}}
In October and November 2009 the McCourts separated and later commenced divorce proceedings. Frank McCourt claiming in a 664-page court filing that he fired Jamie McCourt as the club's chief executive in part for having an affair with her driver, who was employed by the Dodgers. His attorneys also alleged that the two spent {{frac|2|1|2}} weeks in France that summer and billed the team for the trip.{{cite web |title=Frank McCourt says he fired wife for having an affair |date=2009-10-29 |website=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-oct-29-sp-mccourts29-story.html?_amp=true |access-date=June 28, 2021 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031184111/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-oct-29-sp-mccourts29-story.html?_amp=true |url-status=bot: unknown }} Their respective attorneys publicly identified a dispute as to whether the Dodgers assets were community property (i.e. owned 50% by Jamie McCourt), or were separate property, 100% owned by Frank McCourt.[http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers-mccourts16-2009oct16,0,5382162.story "Separated McCourts Both Claim Ownership of the Dodgers", Los Angeles Times, October 16, 2009] The team and stadium assets were purchased for $430 million in 2004 and were valued at $722 million in 2009 (according to Forbes), a theoretical increase in value of $292 million (68%) in five years.[https://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/33/baseball-values-09_Los-Angeles-Dodgers_338671.html Forbes: the Business of Baseball]
Jamie McCourt was represented in the divorce by trial lawyer David Boies.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-mar-08-la-sp-dodgers-mccourt-20100309-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date= March 8, 2010|title= Jamie McCourt retains famed trial lawyer David Boies}} On December 7, 2010, Superior Court Judge Gordon ruled that a postnuptial agreement giving Frank McCourt sole ownership was invalid due to a switched document proving Jamie's 50% ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers.[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/07/mccourt-divorce-judge-rul_n_793181.html McCourt Divorce: Judge Rules Jamie McCourt Is Co-Owner Of Dodgers] The Huffington Post
On October 17, 2011, it was announced that the McCourts had reached a settlement dividing their assets equally whereby Jamie McCourt would receive about $130 million and renounce her claims on the team. This settlement ended what is widely believed to be the costliest divorce in California history.[http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-1017-mccourt-divorce-settlement-20111017,0,2826184.story Frank and Jamie McCourt reach settlement involving Dodgers] Three months later, Frank McCourt sold the Dodgers for $2.1 billion.{{Cite news|title=Jamie McCourt wants $770 million from ex-husband|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/21544304/jamie-mccourt-wants-$770-million-from-ex-husband|work=CBS Sports}} Jamie McCourt sued Frank for $770 million in 2013, alleging that he had undervalued the team during the divorce settlement.{{Cite news|title=Jamie McCourt Sues Husband for $770M for Allegedly Undervaluing Dodgers|url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/dodgers-court-frank-jamie-mccourt/2059950/|work=NBC Los Angeles}}
Philanthropy
McCourt's philanthropy focuses on promoting business education, contemporary art, and the worldwide Jewish community.{{Cite web|url=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20061211&content_id=1759140&vkey=news_la&c_id=la&fext=.jsp|title=McCourts receive Scopus Award|website=Los Angeles Dodgers|language=en|access-date=March 28, 2017|archive-date=March 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331114909/http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/print.jsp?ymd=20061211&content_id=1759140&vkey=news_la&c_id=la&fext=.jsp|url-status=dead}}
McCourt was the recipient of the Scopus Award, the highest humanitarian honor given by the American Friends of the Hebrew University for community leaders who have active involvement in humanitarian causes. In 2012, she was among those who helped Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) raise $2.8 million to acquire new artworks at the museum's annual Collectors Committee weekend.{{Cite news|title=Industry Power Players Help LACMA Raise $2.8 million to Acquire New Artworks|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lacma-fundraiser-bob-iger-willow-bay-315193|work=Hollywood Reporter}}
= Board appointments =
McCourt has served on the board of trustees of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and on the board of trustees of the Museum of Contemporary Art. She has also served on the board of directors of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
McCourt has said she considers education the great equalizer,{{Cite news|url=http://jewishjournal.com/news/los_angeles/13398/|title=Jamie McCourt Proves She's an Artful Dodger President — Jewish Journal|date=July 19, 2006|work=Jewish Journal|access-date=March 30, 2017|language=en-US}} and has pursued a variety of educational endeavors including membership on the board of advisors at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and the North American Executive Board at the MIT Sloan School of Management. She also served as chairman of Georgetown University's Third Century Campaign, which raised more than one billion dollars.{{Cite web|url=http://fpompidou.org/about-directors.html|title=Centre Pompidou Foundation |last=www.unoynueve.com |website=fpompidou.org|access-date=March 30, 2017}}
United States Ambassador to France and Monaco
On June 22, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated McCourt as United States Ambassador to Belgium.[http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-trump-nominates-former-dodgers-owner-as-1498244017-htmlstory.html Trump nominates former Dodgers co-owner Jamie McCourt as ambassador to Belgium], Los Angeles Times, June 23, 2017. On August 2, 2017, Trump withdrew this nomination and instead nominated her as Ambassador to France and Monaco.{{Cite news|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2017/08/02/four-nominations-sent-senate-today-and-one-withdrawal|title=Four Nominations Sent to the Senate Today and One Withdrawal|date=August 2, 2017|access-date=August 2, 2017|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|language=en}} The Senate confirmed her to these posts on November 2, 2017, by voice vote.{{cite web | url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/floor_activity/2017/11_02_2017_Senate_Floor.htm | title=U.S. Senate: Senate Floor Activity - Thursday, November 2, 2017 }} She was sworn in on December 11, 2017, and presented her credentials to President Emmanuel Macron on December 18, 2017.{{Cite web |url=https://fr.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/ |title=Ambassador Jamie D. McCourt |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=June 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605065346/https://fr.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/ |url-status=dead }} McCourt stepped down as ambassador after the inauguration of President Joe Biden in 2021.{{Cite web|title=Why there is currently no US ambassador to France (and it is normal)|url=https://www.connexionfrance.com/People/Interviews/Why-there-is-currently-no-US-ambassador-to-France-and-it-is-normal-the-embassy-s-charge-d-affaires-in-Paris-Brian-Aggeler-explains|work=The Connexion}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Jamie D. McCourt}}
- {{Official website|http://www.jamieenterprises.net/}}
- [https://fr.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/ Official Biography on website in U.S. Embassy in France] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605065346/https://fr.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/our-ambassador/ |date=June 5, 2019 }}
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{{s-ttl|title=President of the Los Angeles Dodgers|years=2004–2009}}
{{s-aft|after=Dennis Mannion}}
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{{s-bef|before=Jane D. Hartley}}
{{s-ttl|title=United States Ambassador to France|years=2017–2021}}
{{s-aft|after=Denise Bauer}}
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{{US Ambassadors to France}}
{{Los Angeles Dodgers Presidents}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McCourt, Jamie}}
Category:Businesspeople from Baltimore
Category:Businesspeople from California
Category:Lawyers from Baltimore
Category:Lawyers from New York City
Category:Georgetown University alumni
Category:Jewish American sports executives and administrators
Category:Los Angeles Dodgers executives
Category:MIT Sloan School of Management alumni
Category:University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law alumni
Category:First Trump administration personnel
Category:Ambassadors of the United States to France
Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Monaco
Category:American women ambassadors
Category:California Republicans
Category:21st-century American women civil servants
Category:21st-century American diplomats
Category:21st-century American Jews
Category:21st-century American lawyers