Mexico City businessman and philanthropist Alfredo Harp Helú part of Padres ownership group

The San Diego Padres today announced that Alfredo Harp Helú is an investor in the club's new ownership group led by the Seidler/O'Malley families and Ron Fowler. Harp is believed to be the only member of a MLB ownership group who is a citizen of Mexico.

Harp, a well-known businessman and philanthropist, has owned the Mexico City Red Devils (Diablos Rojos) baseball team since 1994, and currently serves as the club's chairman. He is also chairman of Grupo Martí, S.A.B. de C.V., a position he has held since acquiring control of the group in 2008. The company is engaged in selling sports items with over 200 outlets and operations of fitness centers.

A dedicated philanthropist, Harp formed the Alfredo Harp Helú Foundation, which has provided more than $500 million in support of education, culture, health, the environment and sports. Additionally, he chairs 12 philanthropic institutions, as well as the Academia de Beisbol Alfredo Harp Helú, a youth baseball academy to help aspiring baseball players in Mexico achieve their dreams.

"I'm very excited about my participation in the Padres team," said Harp. "Specifically, I'm excited to participate with the O'Malley family, with whom I share a love of baseball and an interest in helping the community and participating in philanthropic activities."

In 1971, Harp founded Casa de Bolsa Acciones y Valores de México, S.A. de C.V., and was its chief executive officer until 1991. He has also chaired Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A. de C.V. (Mexican Stock Exchange), Asociación Mexicana de Casas de Bolsa, S.A., Instituto Mexicano del Mercado de Capitales, A.C. and Centro de Comunicación Bursátil 2000. Previously, Harp worked with Price Waterhouse y Cía., S.C from 1964-66 and has actively participated in the Mexican securities market since 1966.

In 1991, together with a group of investors, he acquired Banco Nacional de México, S.A., This led to a creation of Grupo Financiero Banamex, S.A. de C.V., where he has since served as board chairman.

Born in Mexico City, Harp earned his Bachelor's degree in public accounting from the National Autonomous University of Mexico.