“YPN5Q” is a weekly Q&A series spotlighting the state’s top young business and civic leaders and creative minds — professionals propelling change through entrepreneurship, the arts, public service, social media, and community involvement. This week, we hear from Andy Arlotta, vice president of the Minnesota Swarm.
Under Andy’s leadership, Swarm ticket revenues have increased by more than 20 percent per year and sponsorship revenues have more than doubled over the last two years.
In addition to his day job, Arlotta serves on the boards of four nonprofit organizations: Homegrown Lacrosse, Minnesota Lacrosse Association (as board VP), the Jefferson Awards — a prestigous national recognition system honoring community and public service in America, and the Northstar American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Alliance, an organization that aims to increase the representation of American Indians and Alaskan Natives in engineering, science and other related technology disciplines.
Arlotta also represents the Swarm as Associate Governor for the National Lacrosse League (NLL), is a 2010 graduate of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Saint Paul program and is currently a committee member for the Chamber’s Young Professionals Group.
According to his nominators, Arlotta is also making a big impact in the Native American community. Through the creation of the Lax-4-Life
camp, geared for kids from all 11 Minnesota reservations, Arlotta has helped reintroduce the game of lacrosse to the Native American community in Minnesota as well as teach kids life skills like the importance of education, healthy living and abstinence from drugs, alcohol and violence. Arlotta has also helped create lacrosse teams on native reservations in Fond du Lac and Prairie Island.
For Arlotta’s efforts in helping develop lacrosse programs in the Native American community, the Minnesota Swarm was recognized at the White House during First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move! In Indian Country” initiative in July of 2011.
Name: Andy Arlotta
Age: 34
Residence: St. Paul
Current Job title: Co-owner and vice president
Current Employer: Minnesota Swarm
1. How did you become involved in your current line of work?
I left the healthcare industry when I had an opportunity to pursue my dream of sports management, joining my dad, John Arlotta, as co-owner of the Minnesota Swarm Professional Lacrosse team.
2. What natural gift would you most like to possess?
Being a great motivator.
3. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Winning the 1997 Southern Plains wrestling tournament in the Men’s Freestyle and Greco-Roman categories and earning a berth on the U.S. National Team that wrestled in Poland.
4. What is your greatest regret?
Not going to the University of Notre Dame for college. Notre Dame didn’t have a Division I wrestling program; I graduated from Northern Illinois University.
5. What are your TV addictions?
College football and CNN.
To nominate a young professional for “YPN5Q,” email ypn@minnpost.com with the nominee’s full name, employer or contact info, and one or two brief sentences supporting your nomination.
