H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation Announces Leadership Changes

PALM DESERT, CA — The Palm Desert-based philanthropic organization H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation announced leadership changes Tuesday.

Michael B. Rover was announced as president and CEO, while Christopher M. McGuire remains board chairman.

Besides Rover and McGuire, the Foundation’s executive committee consists of Vice President of Charitable Programs Catharine N. Reed and Vice President of Finance Joseph K. Glassett.

Nor Berger and his wife, Fran, established the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation as a private family foundation in 1961.

"Through the vision of successive presidents, McGuire and Ronald M. Auen, the Foundation has grown multiple times over with a diverse portfolio of investments, enabling sustained charitable impact throughout Southern California, the United States and internationally," according to a news release announcing the changes.

The Foundation does not procure contributions from individuals and businesses and does not accept unsolicited grant requests. About 80 percent of the Foundation’s giving is concentrated in the Coachella Valley, where the Foundation has been based since 1996.

Upon Nor Berger’s death, Auen served as president and board chairman from 1988 to 2019. Auen became responsible for the Foundation's formation, guidance, and expansion. He handpicked members of the Foundation leadership, including McGuire and Rover.

An entrepreneur with an MBA from the University of Southern California, McGuire was appointed to the board of directors and accepted the position of Vice President of Programs in 1991. He took the helm as president and chairman of the board in 2019.

“It has been an honor to carry on the legacy of Ron Auen and Mr. Berger,” McGuire said. “Mike Rover has the experience, perspective, and values needed to guide the Berger Foundation forward. I’m proud to hand leadership to someone so deeply committed to the Foundation’s mission and our community.”

Born and raised in the Coachella Valley, Rover has served on the Foundation’s board since 2005 and began providing legal counsel for its business and real estate interests in 2012 before joining the Foundation full-time in 2020.

"A key contributor to strategic planning, he brings deep expertise in large, complex real estate transactions, negotiations, and asset management in support of long-term charitable impact," according to the news release.

Prior to joining the Foundation’s executive team, Rover founded and led Rover Armstrong, a private law practice focused on real estate, business, and construction law. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of San Diego and a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Rover is licensed in California as an attorney, contractor and real estate broker.

“It’s a privilege to step into this role. The Foundation’s mission remains the same as when Mr. and Mrs. Berger founded the charitable organization: to help people help themselves,” Rover said. “With the resources entrusted to the Foundation, our board of directors, the executive team, and our staff are committed to thoughtful stewardship that will maximize our charitable impact and strengthen our community for generations.”