Indians Name General Manager
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indianapolis Indians have named Randy Lewandowski general manager. He has been with the team since 1994, most recently serving as assistant general manager.
October 15, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — The Indianapolis Indians have promoted Randy Lewandowski to general manager. An employee of the organization since 1994 – the past eight years as assistant general manager – he assumes the day-to-day responsibilities from Cal Burleson who will remain with the organization as vice president of baseball and administrative affairs.
Ticket sales and service, marketing, sponsorship, operations, Victory Field maintenance, facilities, grounds, communications and budgets fall under Lewandowski's supervision.
Lewandowski becomes only the fourth general manager since the organization was incorporated in 1955. He joined the Tribe as a ticket office intern, and accepted a fulltime position shortly after as assistant ticket manager. In 1997 Lewandowski was promoted to director of operations. He was named assistant general manager in 2007.
“Within our plans for continued growth, this announcement designates Randy as a long-term leader of the Indianapolis Indians organization. It’s a distinction that is well-earned,” said Burleson. “Randy has exhibited great leadership in numerous major projects in recent years, including upgrades to our scoreboards, the creation of The Cove, our IT infrastructure, and expansion of the ticket office and souvenir shops.
“Under his enthusiastic leadership it's no wonder our front office is among The Best Places to Work in Indiana.”
The Indians have recorded five consecutive years of increased attendance, and this past season broke the 1998 single-season attendance record in 18-year-old Victory Field (660,250).
“Randy is well-qualified to perform the demanding duties required of the Indianapolis Indians’ general manager,” said longtime Tribe President and Board Chairman Max Schumacher. “Since joining the Indians as an intern 20 years ago, he has excelled in a variety of responsibilities that have helped our organization rise to record attendance levels that generate consistent operating profits and shareholder dividends. The Indians organization is well-positioned going forward behind the leadership of Vice President of Baseball and Administrative Affairs Cal Burleson and Randy.
“Our emphasis will continue to be on maximizing the Victory Field experience for our fans,” said Schumacher.
“It is a great honor and privilege to be chosen to lead such a successful and storied franchise,” Lewandowski said. “The leadership and guidance provided over the years by Max, Cal and the Indians' board of directors has prepared our organization for this next step. The Indianapolis Indians will always strive to be a great community partner and provide our fans the best baseball and entertainment experience possible. Our entire staff relishes the challenge to build upon our recent success, and will continue to make Victory Field the downtown summertime destination.”
Burleson, who just completed his 40th season with the organization – including his 16th as general manager – will continue as the Indians’ primary point of contact with other entities in professional baseball, and be the point person for the Indians’ role in the community.
A Business Management major, Lewandowski graduated from Anderson University in 1993, and was a four-year starter on the Ravens’ baseball team.
Lewandowski has been active in the Indiana chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as past president and member of the board of trustees, and past chair of the LLS Light the Night Walk. For the past six years he has been active in the youth sports coaching and mentoring ministry at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and School. He is a current member of the Stadium Managers Association, and was twice named one of Indy’s Best and Brightest by Junior Achievement of Central Indiana (2004, 2006).
A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., Lewandowski and his wife, Christina, live in Carmel, Ind. with their children Alyssa (16) and Sam (14).
Company Description
The Indianapolis Indians are the professional Triple-A baseball club affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and has been in continuous operation since 1902. The Indians play their home games at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis, a 14,200-seat ballpark that has received numerous national accolades as one of the best minor league stadiums in the United States. In 2014 the Indians’ front office was named one of The Best Places to Work in Indiana by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The 2012 and 2013 International League West Division champions led all of Minor League Baseball in attendance in 2013. The Tribe was also presented with Baseball America's Triple-A Bob Freitas Award for the best overall operations at the Triple-A level that year. The mission of the organization is to provide Indians baseball at Victory Field as affordable and memorable family fun.
Source: Indianapolis Indians