Tom Werner is partner and co-founder of arguably one of the most successful independent studios in television history, Carsey Werner. He is also Chairman of the 2004 & 2007 World Champion Boston Red Sox.
As Chairman of the Red Sox Werner was instrumental is establishing the Red Sox Foundation, a foundation that gives away millions of dollars each year to local programs and the Home Base Program, which aims at helping military veterans affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
The Emmy Winning producer is a 1971 cum laude graduate of Government from Harvard University and was an award-winning documentary producer, noted for his film, “Shirley Chisholm: Pursuing The Dream”, about the first female presidential candidate, before embarking on his career in television.
With over 2000 episodes of television produced Carsey Werner has been one of the leading suppliers and distributors to the worldwide marketplace for over twenty-five years. As executive producer of a number of landmark programs including, “The Cosby Show”,” A Different World”, “Roseanne”, “3rd Rock From The Sun” and “That 70’s Show” Werner and his partner, Marcy Carsey, have obtained a vast library of programs seen in over 175 countries and translated into 50 different languages. In 2000, Carsey Werner joined forces with Oprah Winfrey to form the Oxygen Network, a 24 hour cable channel serving the modern woman. The Network was recently acquired by NBC Universal and is one of the fastest growing cable networks ever, now in almost 65,000,000 homes.
Werner started his career at ABC Television and eventually became Senior Vice President of Primetime Series in December 1980. Along the way he helped develop such shows as “Mork & Mindy”, “Soap”, “Bosom Buddies”, “Three’s Company” and “The Love Boat”. In 1981 he joined Marcy Carsey to form their own production company.
He has been inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and Broadcasting and Cable Magazine’s Hall of Fames. Their shows have garnered 24 Emmy Awards, 11 Golden Globes, 23 People’s Choice Awards, 2 George Foster Peabody Awards , 4 Humanitas Prizes and 18 NAACP Image Awards. They have also received the Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award from NATPE, the David Susskind Lifetime Achievement Award from The Producer’s Guild of America and a place in the Museum of the American Dream as one of the 20th Century’s most extraordinary achievers.
Werner explains their singular record of achievement this way: “I believe our success is due to our profound respect for our audience. Our shows strive to reflect the human condition and enlighten as well as entertain.”
In addition to his work for the Ron Brown Scholars, Werner serves on a number of Boards, including the Crossroads School and the Board for After School All Stars, a program helping at risk youth engage in after school programs. He has also served on the White House Fellows Commission, Dana Farber Institute in Boston and was appointed to the California Film Commission by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.
Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation.
A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.
His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.
An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.
Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.
We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.
