2003– Washington State Convention League of His In a League of His Own Purdue graduating class and as Outstanding former client at the law firm, Armstrong Armstrong. “Only my mother felt it was and Trade Center Board of Directors (appointed by “Baseball has everything to do with Industrial Engineering Graduate. met and joined George Argyros, an Orange logical, and she saw that in hindsight.” He Governor) engineering,” says Chuck Armstrong. “My greatest concern as a student,” County real estate developer. credits his wife of 35 years, Susan, with 2001– Stanford Athletic Department, Advisory Board (also 1993–96) “It’s physics. It’s mathematics. It’s logic. It’s Armstrong says, “was getting a job with Argyros, currently the U.S. Ambassador being the greatest influence on his career, 1998– Director, Seattle Space Needle statistics. It’s game theory. I feel that I use a good, strong company, preferably in to Spain, installed Armstrong as CEO of always providing unconditional support. Corp. my engineering every day.” manufacturing. My career certainly ended his real estate company, while he made “One of the things I’ve learned in Director, Vans Inc. 1994–97 School of Industrial Engineering Armstrong, president of the Seattle up differently.” other investments, including the purchase retrospect is how practical a Purdue degree Advisory Committee, Purdue Mariners Baseball Club, chose Purdue from of the Seattle Mariners Baseball Team. is,” says Armstrong. “Immediately upon Outstanding Industrial Engineer, Purdue (1997) four schools. He grew up in Louisville, Career Surprises After three years of producing impres- graduation you are equipped to make a 1992– President and COO, Seattle Mariners Baseball Club. Major played sports, and had a chance to sign a Armstrong spent his undergraduate sive results with the real estate company, contribution. I like that about Purdue. In League Baseball Enterprises/ Charles G. professional baseball contract out of high summers working as an engineer, but Armstrong was asked to take over running engineering, the only constant is change. Properties—Board of Directors, International Committee, Armstrong school. But his parents thought he should in his senior year, he decided to take the the Mariners following the 1983 baseball You have to remain flexible and adaptable Revenue Sharing Definitions get an education, and his math and science law boards and received a scholarship to season. Argyros sold the Mariners after and maintain a sense of humor. You have Committee, Minor League Study President and COO Committee scores pointed toward engineering. He Stanford Law School. Then the week he the 1989 season, and Armstrong went to be prepared for opportunities when 1991 Interim Athletic Director, Seattle Mariners Baseball University of Washington entered Purdue in 1960 and played baseball took the bar exam, the U.S. government off and did other things, including being they come along and not be afraid to take Club 1987–90 University of Washington School BSIE ’64 for the Boilermakers his freshman year. called. “The second day of the bar exam I interim Athletic Director at the University prudent risks.” of Business Advisory Board “It was tough,” Armstrong says. “I real- got my induction notice; the day after that, of Washington in 1991. Faced with the 1984 Old Masters, Purdue 1984–87 Stanford University Law School For his outstanding ized right away that I needed to be serious, I joined the Navy; and two days after that, I threat of losing baseball in Seattle, a new Board of Visitors but it was a great experience. Purdue pro- got married.” Thanks in part to having an ownership group came together in 1992, 1983–97 Managing Director, TicketMaster record in the Northwest vided personal guidance and opportunities engineering degree, he qualified as an offi- purchased the team, and reinstalled Arm- 1983–89 President and COO, Seattle management in just about any endeavor.” cer of the deck on an attack aircraft carrier. strong as president and COO. Mariners Baseball Club 1980–83 The Arnel Companies: President Armstrong liked the management Returning from duty, Armstrong joined and CEO of Arnel Management of a major league Co. and Vice President, orientation of industrial engineering. He a Los Angeles law firm, specializing in Looking Ahead General Counsel and Executive In a baseball team also was on Class Council for three years, business and corporate law. After being Since 1992 the Mariners have gone from Committee Member for Arnel Financial, parent holding worked as sports editor for the Debris and selected to be a junior partner, he took a being one of baseball’s weakest franchises company served as president of Phi Gamma Delta. leave of absence to become president of a to becoming one of its strongest and most 1977–79 President and COO, Design Institute America He was selected for Tau Beta Pi and Iron national furniture manufacturer. After successful, setting a major league record of 1971-77 Private law practice, Hill, Farrer & Key and was the overall national chair- three years, the travel took its toll. “I came 116 wins in the 2001 season, and playing Burrill 1968 American Bar Association; State man for the 1964 Purdue Mock Political home from a trip one day and my neighbor in beautiful new SAFECO Field. Bar of California Convention. And he was chosen both was teaching my daughter how to ride her “My career has been surprising to me 1967–71 Lieutenant (JG), U.S. Navy as Outstanding Senior Man of the 1964 bike. I was missing too much.” Through a because it has been so serendipitous,” says BSIE ’64, Purdue; JD ’67, Stanford 6 7.