Family: Wife (Diane) and three children (Bradley, Sam, Katie)
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
“Focusing on the affordability of the Miller Park experience was a very high priority for us in 2009, and I believe it was time and effort well spent.”
What’s new at your company?
“We are implementing several new upgrades to Miller Park that will be announced next month. Also, as with any sports team, the off-season is a time to evaluate our player roster and introduce new talent.”
Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
“We plan on hiring two to three additional persons and making capital investments to Miller Park in 2010.”
What will be your company’s main challenges in the next year?
“Our main challenge will be to sustain the attendance levels achieved in 2008 and 2009 while improving the team on the field in a challenging financial landscape.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“Hire intelligent people and ensure they have the resources (financial, technical, staffing) to succeed.”
What’s the hottest trend in your industry?
“The impact of new technology on the fan experience.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“Commissioner (Bud) Selig and Tony Tavares (former president of the Anaheim Angels and Mighty Ducks).”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Not all of your decisions will be correct, but the worst decision you can make is not deciding.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“Overreacting to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Randall Simon hitting one of the Klements Famous Sausages with a baseball bat by calling it the ‘wurst’ thing I had ever seen inside or outside a baseball stadium. My wife was in Los Angeles at the time of the incident and heard about it on a local Los Angeles radio station. The radio announcers replayed my comments and stated that I needed to ‘get a life.’ People here would suggest that I’m still searching for that ‘life.'”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“I like to read non-fiction books (American history), work out and play Beatles Rock Band with my kids.”
Rick Schlesinger, Executive vice president of Business Operations, Milwaukee Brewers
One Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI
www.brewers.com
Industry:
Sports and entertainment
Number of employees:
110 full-time business
operations employees
