Joe Fabris named to USATF Foundation Board of Directors

INDIANAPOLIS - Joe Fabris, Founding Partner & Chief Product Officer, Plus 3 Network, Inc., has been named as a Director of the USA Track & Field Foundation Board, USATF Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic and Chairman Bob Greifeld announced today.

"Joe's experience in so many different areas of the sport makes him a great addition to the board,” said Jackovic. “We are fortunate to have him as part of the team."

Plus 3 Network is a mobile, GPS-enhanced social network that connects people with corporate sponsors and worthwhile causes on a lasting journey of personal fitness and charitable giving. After years in software sales & marketing, Mr. Fabris launched Plus 3 in 2008, a product paid for through corporate philanthropy that’s free to users, and which connects both consumers and corporate members. For members leading an active lifestyle, Plus 3 counts their daily runs, rides, swims or walks as mileage-rewarded fundraising, and links them to corporate sponsors and non-profit organizations. By “Making it Count,” Plus 3’s goal of worthwhile giving is effected by bringing people, causes and sponsors together for the good of everyone.

After graduating with an MBA from Cal Poly, Joe began his professional career in technology by joining IBM in 1984, bringing IBM mainframe solutions to the aerospace industry. He then spent the next 11 years at Microsoft as Systems Engineer, Sales Executive and Regional Marketing Director. During that time, Joe earned the Chairman’s Award Rolex watch twice, Microsoft’s top field award. He also pitched the eventual building of the Microsoft campus to Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, now located in Mountain View, CA. 

As Senior Marketing Director at Palm Inc., from 2003 to 2007, Fabris played an instrumental role in launching Palm’s Treo line of phones and their first Windows mobile phone, the Treo 700w. He also served as one of the press and analysts spokesmen for Palm.   

Prior to working at Palm, from 2000 to 2003, Joe was actively involved with a number of community organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors (currently active) of the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, CA, chairing the Gizmo WYSIWYG fundraising event for three years & launching a new fundraising Video Game Tournament using the IMAX dome, called the MaxGames. Additionally, Fabris was also a Director with the San Jose Symphony and at Villa Montalvo.       

An elite athlete, Joe ran cross country & track in high school and junior college, finishing off with a scholarship to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. After college, he clocked a 3:58.3 mile at the 1982 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, OR, and went on to compete at the 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials. After retiring from competition, Fabris returned as an assistant cross country coach at his JC Alma Mater, San Jose City College, and served as Executive Director of the ASICS Aggies, an Olympic Development Club which provides support and coaching for aspiring Olympic athletes, youth and masters runners. Joe continues to hold advisory positions with the Aggies and competes as a Masters runner, having a 4:23 mile to his credit.

The Fabris family leads a very active lifestyle. He and his wife Lori are avid cyclists, and tour annually, while his two daughters both compete in track & cross country.

Lori and Joe are also the Trustees of the Fabris Family Foundation, which focuses on educational, health, and environmental giving. The family proactively seeks to lower human impact on the planet by commuting on bicycle and using solar power at their home in Los Gatos, CA.

The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track and field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, distance training centers and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors and from generous fans of track & field.

For more information or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org.