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Steve Bisciotti, described by his long-time friends and co-workers as a "regular guy," comes from a working-class family in a Baltimore suburb...He helped build a company that is one of the top international staffing businesses, and then became an NFL team owner.
Born in Philadelphia on April 10, 1960, Bisciotti moved with his family to Baltimore (Severna Park) in March of 1961 when Steve, the youngest of 3 children, was 11 months old...His father, Bernard, took the children to Orioles and Colts games...Sadly, Bernard died of leukemia when Steve was 8...His mother, Patricia, a huge Ravens' fan, then raised the children alone.
"I remember going to a couple of Colts games every season with my Dad or Mom and brother (Mike) and sister (Cathy Thomas). We were on the 10-yard line, lower deck," Bisciotti recalls. "We'd go to O's games, too. My favorite player was Paul Blair, because my brother already claimed Brooks Robinson and wouldn't let me take the same guy. We'd also go to Westminster for Colts training camp. We have pictures with various players, and I have one with me wearing Johnny Unitas' helmet. I would ask the players if I could wear their helmets."
Growing up, Steve always worked parttime...He mowed lawns (including at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church), pumped gas and babysat...And he played sports. "I wasn't much of a high school athlete, but played football, baseball and basketball all the time when I was growing up," Bisciotti adds. As a senior at Severna Park High School, Steve played on the football team for head coach Andy Borland...(Bisciotti transferred to Severna Park after 2 years at Severn School.)
After graduating from Salisbury (MD) State with a degree in liberal arts in 1982, Bisciotti worked in the temporary help industry...When he lost his job in 1983 (he was 23), he started Aerotek with his 1st cousin, Jim Davis...They opened a basement office in Annapolis and furnished it with second-hand desks purchased from Goodwill...They offered aerospace and technology companies access to skilled temporary employees...Starting with 2 employees and 2 clients, Bisciotti and Davis produced $1.5 million in sales in the 1st year.
Aerotek grew into the Allegis Group, which currently is the 3rd-largest staffing firm in the United States - 6th in the world...The company, which is based in the Baltimore area and has offices throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe, has over 6,000 employees and 65,000 high-end contract workers...Allegis Group, which does little self promotion or publicity, places employees in positions from engineers to cable installers, to computer programmers, to marketing specialists.
Until he bought the Ravens, Bisciotti's incredible business success was not well known on a national level...In fact, it wasn't even notable in the Baltimore area, where he has kept a low profile...That's his style. "I have no interest in notoriety, and wouldn't mind being the least-known owner in the NFL," the outgoing Bisciotti says. "I know the media would like more from me, but people like Ozzie (Newsome) and Brian (Billick), plus the players, represent our team well."
How does Bisciotti describe his ownership style? "I'm very active, but would not describe myself as an owner who is involved in all of the day-to-day decisions. I want to be included and continually educated. But, in the end, I want those qualified in their respective fields of expertise to make the decisions," Bisciotti says. "I don't know more about acquiring players than Ozzie. I don't have the coaching expertise that Brian has. I do think I know the right questions to ask," Bisciotti states.
One of the 1st things Steve did when he purchased the Ravens was hire the highly-respected Dick Cass as team president. "There are many reasons why Steve is successful. One of those is that he can inspire people to do better. We see that regularly here. Steve gives us input on every significant decision we make," Cass says.
Bisciotti directed the planning and building of the team's state-of-the-art training and practice facility, which opened in October of 2004. "There is none better than ours," Billick says. "A facility can't win a game for you, but what Steve built gives us an edge. Players spend more time here preparing to win because it's a good place to get work done and hang out with teammates and coaches."
Bisciotti, who is 47 and the 2nd-youngest owner in the NFL (to Daniel Snyder - 43), bought a minority interest in the Ravens in 2000 from Art Modell and completed the purchase of the franchise on April 9, 2004.
As is his style, Steve quietly is dedicated to a number of important causes and projects, some associated with his deep Catholic faith...He is a board member for both Catholic Charities and Mother Seton Academy (Baltimore).
Steve, who enjoys golfing, boating and a devotion to University of Maryland athletics, and his wife Renee (Foote), are the parents of 2 sons, Jason, a college sophomore, and Jack, a college freshman...Renee spent a lot of time to help design the interior and selected the furnishings at the Ravens' training complex...The family lives in Millersville, MD.
Bisciotti is pronounced Bih-SHAH-tee. |
