The 2nd Wednesday of every month, Lunch and Learn at the WTAMU Enterprise Center features entrepreneurs that have taken their business idea from concept to success. Successful entrepreneurs address topics including business expansion, marketing, financial planning, advertising and much more. Advanced Online Registration is required, cash will no longer be accepted at the door. Limited Seating is available, so reserve your space today!

Wednesday, March 10th
Noon to 1 pm, $10 per person

Featured Speaker: Mark Lee
General Manager
Amarillo Dillas Baseball

Balancing Enterpreneurial Passion and Risk
As Mark Lee enters his fifth season as General Manager of the Amarillo Dillas Baseball Club,  he has been successful in putting together a team of players to  promote the game of baseball and continually set attendance records at the Dilla Villa.  Mark will be speaking on how to balance entrepreneurial passion and his willingness to take risks to make a successful program.   At the same time he will share his strategy for recruiting and returning so much to the community.

During Lee’s tenure, dating back to 2006, over a half a million visitors have been guests of the Dillas with 549,797 enjoying affordable family entertainment at the Dilla Villa. During that same time, the Dillas have led the United League each year setting attendance records 3 out of the last 4 seasons.
Lee was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 6th round of the 1973 amateur draft while attending El Camino Community College, but did not sign a professional contract. He was drafted again by the Baltimore Orioles in the 9th round of the 1974 amateur draft, but chose to accept an athletic scholarship at Pepperdine University. After two All America seasons at Pepperdine University, Lee was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 13th round of the 1976 amateur draft.

In 1977, Lee made his first appearance in Amarillo pitching for the Amarillo Gold Sox of the Texas League. A year later, he was pitching for the big league club, making his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres on April 23rd, 1978 against the Atlanta Braves. In August 1980 the San Diego Padres sent Lee to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later.

When he retired from professional baseball in 1982, he remembered the people and region he enjoyed so much as a player and moved permanently to Amarillo, which he and his family have called “home” since.