The IOU Foundation


The IOU Foundation® 501(c)(3) public charity non-profit organization raises funds from the general public through a variety of ways, including special events, barbecue cook-offs, sponsorships, and donations. 100% of the proceeds we raise go to recognized tax-exempt public charities, non-profit organizations and philanthropic causes. We are 100% operated by volunteers with generous hearts and have no religious or political agenda or affiliation. Included among the activities that we lead are, offering educational opportunities, providing warm meals to those in need and feeding first responders, military personnel or those directly impacted by natural disasters. We work together with multiple organizations and youth groups to strengthen character development, apply personal responsibility, and build self confidence. Our supporters and volunteers are committed to participating in events that promote co-operative efforts for common good. Through our charitable work, we strive to strengthen communities, cultivate philanthropy, emulate and inspire positive leadership and foster respect for all.
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Shane Sobon Director Since 2013 President	Shane is a Fine Arts graduate with a focus on Theatre, English, and Visual Communication. Major achievements include acting, writing, and directing for film, television and stage as well as building a rewarding career as an accomplished graphic designer and producer of media content. His professional background includes business management, advanced skills in project management, audio & video production, print layout, web design, and personnel training. He is currently a proud member of the Creative Team for Accenture Operations - Information Technology and Services, as Media and Graphic Design Senior Analyst. When not behind the microphone, camera or keyboard, Shane is often found at the grill or in front of the stove. The phrase "he grew up in the kitchen" is an actual truth for Shane. He comes from a family of cooks and spent much of his childhood alongside his mother, father and brothers in their family owned & operated restaurants, learning and perfecting generations of kindred culinary techniques. His love for cooking and obsession with smiles of dining critics led him to the competitive cooking circuit, as the head cook and Founder of IOU BBQ®. Combined with his devotion to always serve up a delicious meal, Shane finds great rewards in promoting the welfare of others and is an impassioned philanthropist. His enjoyment of participating with like minded people, who desire to have a positive impact on their community, along with his overwhelming sense of gratification for his charitable actions becoming contagious, led him to conceiving the idea of The IOU Foundation®. As the Founder of this 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization and President of the Board of Directors, Shane continues to be an active team member, who is dedicated to its successful growth and proper direction.
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Jeff Hewitt Director Since 2013 Treasurer	Jeff Hewitt is a Marketing Manager at The Boon Group and a Co-Founder of IOU BBQ® and The IOU Foundation®. The values of kindness, compassion, and responsibility were instilled in Jeff by his parents and have become the foundations of his life. This homespun wisdom paired with a lifetime of experience has motivated Jeff in his commitment to help others. After working his way through college, with the help of friends and family, he began his professional journey in the technology and electronics manufacturing sector. His development, as a professional, led the way to his current marketing position with The Boon Group, a third-party administrator in the insurance sector, and a company he has been with since April of 2001. Running parallel to his professional development was Jeff's great love for cooking and BBQ. Making great food has always been a part of his life, but he has since developed his craft and taken that talent to the next level. Jeff has been an enthusiastic member of multiple barbeque teams including IOU BBQ®. His love of BBQ and favorite hobby of making good food evolved into a passion for competition cooking all over Texas. More than that, Jeff found a way to use his talent and drive to assist others by helping develop The IOU Foundation®. Through this organization Jeff has been involved with numerous gestures of goodwill, including providing relief to victims of Hurricane Harvey in the immediate days and weeks following its landfall; an experience that was especially meaningful to Jeff and taught him this lesson: "There is great power in humanity, when everyone comes together to help one another. Remember that there is hope." Jeff and his wife, Brandi, are the proud parents of two sons, Josh and Joey.
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Sabrina Butler Director Since 2016 Secretary	Sabrina has been a member of Team IOU since 2015. Her very active participation and heavy involvement with multiple aspects of the organization quickly led to her nomination to the Board of Directors. In addition to her seat on the board, she plays a very key role in the fundraising efforts for The IOU Foundation®. Sabrina has a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Baylor University and a Master's degree in counseling from St. Edward's University. She was a Licensed Professional Counselor for 10 years working as a Child and Family therapist. In 2001, she decided to make a career change, but still wanted to be in a field where she could help others. She then became a Realtor, and has been helping people find their dream homes ever since. Designated as an Accredited Buyer's Representative, and a member of the Austin Board of Realtors, the Texas Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors, Sabrina lives by her pledge to provide honest, knowledgeable advice built on trust and integrity.
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Karen Evon Director Since 2018 Fundraising Coordinator	Karen Evon is a graduate of Southern Methodist University, with over 20 years of advertising sales, retail marketing and marketing campaign execution experience. She is currently a Marketing Operations Supervisor at Kasasa, implementing marketing programs and providing marketing support for community banks and credit unions. Before joining The IOU Foundation®, Karen managed numerous fundraising and volunteer events for non-profit organizations in Austin, Los Angeles and the Houston-area. After three years successfully cultivating sponsors and donations for The IOU Foundation®, Karen has become one of the organization’s lead fundraisers, and now helps coordinate fundraising events and sponsor opportunities within the organization. In her free time, Karen enjoys traveling, trying restaurants featured on Food Network (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, anyone?) and hanging out on a patio with her guy, her pups and a cold beverage in hand.