1. After various financial ventures and positions, Mark Attanasio is currently a Partner at the Trust Company of the West. He oversees below-investment-grade loans, mezzanine financing, and distressed debt. Mark received his A.B. from Brown University in 1979 and his J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law in 1982. Other notable alumni from Brown include Kenneth Starr, Ted Turner, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. Notable alumni from the Columbia Law School include Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
2. Mark was born in Bronx, New York on September 29, 1957. On that specific day, the New York Giants played their final game in the Polo Grounds. Along with the Brooklyn Dodgers, the Giants moved to California for the 1958 season. Combine these events with Yankee legend Joe Pepitone living in his neighborhood as a child, I guess it is no wonder why Mark grew up as a Yankees fan.
3. Over the years, the Attanasios have been generous benefactors to many various charitable organizations. School on Wheels, Kayne Eras Center, and The Los Angeles Free Clinic are just some of the many organizations in California the Attanasios have assisted. Mark and Debbie were also instrumental in bringing the Masters of American Comics exhibition to the Milwaukee Art Museum in 2006 and Debbie participated in the Brewers wives annual tailgate benefit which raised $5,000 for the Sojourner Truth House in Milwaukee. On October 7, 2006, Mark and his wife Debbie were recipients of the "Courage to Care" Award at the Noche de Ninos Gala benefiting the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. The Attanasios received their award along with actor Johnny Depp and McDonald's CEO Ralph Alvarez. The gala raised $4.1 million for the hospital.
4. Mark's brother and father are involved in the entertainment industry. Mr. Attanasio's brother Paul is a screenwriter and producer in movies and television. One of Paul Attanasio's current roles is as an executive producer on the FOX television show House, M.D., through his production company, Heel and Toe Films. Mark's father Joseph (Joe) Attanasio is an actor who appeared on the television show Gideon's Crossing and has performed in films such as Quiz Show and Disclosure. Joe has also sung the National Anthem before the last two Opening Days at Miller Park.
5. In 2005, Mark, as part of an ownership group, purchased the Milwaukee Admirals minor league hockey team. The group also currently includes Brewers Assistant General Manager Gord Ash and Brewers pitcher Ben Sheets, who was featured as a hockey/baseball bobble head giveaway in 2006. The Brewers are the Admirals' official jersey sponsor and the Brewers ball and glove logo appears on the players sweaters. So far this season, the Admirals' attendance is up 23% over last season following a losing appearance in the finals last season and a somewhat successful season so far.
During the 2-year period since the Seligs sold the Brewers, Milwaukee's on-field record is 156-168 (.481). While 2006 was a relative disappointment, that overall record is a major improvement and is the highest winning percentage since the 2-year period of 1996-1997. Attendance surpassed 2,000,000 for the third year in a row, including a 5.6% increase over 2005 and a 13.2% increase over 2004. Mark Attanasio and his ownership group have responded by raising payroll to over $65 million for 2007. Time will tell if Mark's investment this time is as successful as his past ventures.