Having served alongside Mike Bauer on both the Leadership Palm Beach County and Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce Boards, I’ve seen firsthand the quiet strength of his leadership. As past Pres­ident of both organizations, Mike brought a deliberate, composed presence to every room he entered.

He listens deeply before offering insight, speaks with intention, and approaches every challenge with a genuine understanding of the peo­ple involved. He brings that same poise to his role as General Manager at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. “I oversee the local operation for the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium Complex. The facility sits on 110 acres and includes Spring Training for the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. We also operate the two clubs’ Florida Complex League and Florida State League Minor League operations. That includes a 7,000-seat stadium and 15 baseball practice fields. As the GM, my purview covers the following areas: Sales, Marketing, Ticket Operations, Broadcasting, Event Operations, Main­tenance, Grounds, Human Resources, Accounting, and Administration. I also work hand-in-hand with Palm Beach County, as our facility is a County asset.”

As you can imagine, there are many demands on Mike and his inbox, especially when the big-league clubs come to town. Everyone wants tickets, the stadium is operating at full capacity, and the pressure to deliver a seamless fan experience is high. It’s during these times that his ability to lead with empathy shines brightest. “We have 45 full-time employees and 150 seasonal ones. I adjust my leadership style based on the individual. Not everyone reacts to you the same way. An effective leader knows how to read the room, build relationships, and determine what is going to make an individual tick. That said, I think there are some key attributes that all leaders must convey. Trustworthiness, a hard-working demean­or, inspirational, respectful, provide clear expectations, and hold your people accountable for meeting those expectations. I also think approachability is extremely important. Good leaders are good people first. We need to share that we care about the people we manage, engage with, and partner with.”

It’s a lesson he learned from the many mentors who shaped his early life. “I have had several in my life. From my parents and grandparents to CCD leaders, Cub Scout den mothers, baseball coaches, aunts and uncles, close friends, co-workers, and bosses. All these people have shaped me into who I am.” But profession­ally, one mentor stands out. “My first job in sports was with the Ice Palace Arena (Now Amalie Arena) in Tampa. I was in my early 20s and beyond thrilled. Working for an NHL team and a 20,000- seat venue felt like I’d made it. That’s where I met Mary Milne, my first boss and a tremendous mentor. She had been a field hockey coach, and she led like one, firm, fair, and fully invested in my growth. She would knock me down when I made a mistake and build me back up so that I knew how to handle the situation when I confronted it the next time. She also taught me how to research or “find the answer,” as she liked to say. Mary taught me how to prepare for meetings, present ideas to the upper management, and how to either help the company make money or save money. She also showed me how to manage my time and how to prioritize. Lastly, she always encouraged me and told me that she believed in me. That was very powerful.”

His drive to continuously grow both personally and professionally led him to the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, where he and his organization could be part of the conversation shaping our region’s future. “The ability to effect real change in our community drew my interest. This group has a rich history of being involved when and where it needs to be.” It’s Mike’s first year on the Council, and he is eager to contribute. “The opportunity to work alongside so many influential community leaders is exciting. This is a power­house group. I am looking forward to growing my relationships and learning from them.”

For Mike, the Economic Council isn’t just another seat at the table, it’s an extension of a long-standing belief that giving back and get­ting involved are essential to doing business the right way, and one he instills in his team. “We want to be an active participant within our community. We don’t just sell baseball tickets and hot dogs. It is our civic duty to help make Palm Beach County a better place to live, work, and play. Each of us at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium has a responsibility to find an organization or charity where we can assist. Sometimes it is financially, sometimes it is sweat equity. We encourage our teammates to pitch in wherever they can, in an area that matches up with their interests.”

He is a founding member and former President of the Jupiter Police Foundation, a member of the Chamber of the Palm Beaches, and an Ex-Officio member of the Palm Beach Sports Commission. When not serving the community, he enjoys golf and spending time with his wife, Stacy, a reading teacher at Jupiter High School. His two sons, Luke, a 12th grader at Jupiter High, and Chase, a 10th grader at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, inspire a different type of leadership at home.

As a father, he shares the wisdom he’s gained through experience, reminding them of the advice he would give to his younger self. “There isn’t a rush to get to the top. You don’t know everything, and you never will. You must earn everything that you have in life. Continue to learn, grow, make new relationships, and enjoy the journey. The journey is what life is all about. Also, you will never regret being kind to others. Getting frustrat­ed and gruff with others never motivates. It just shows that you are a hot head. Realize that everyone makes mistakes. Good leaders help others learn from them so that they gain valuable experience. Their growth is your growth too.”

As a new member of the Council, Mike’s peers will soon discover what those of us who’ve worked alongside him already know. He’s a humble, hands-on leader who puts people first and never loses sight of the bigger