There is some familiarity involved, as he’ll continue to handle the team’s marketing initiatives and personally manage a handful of existing accounts while he and Shea continue to polish staff duties throughout the organization. He and Shea even maintained the same offices they’ve occupied for years instead of opting to move to larger accommodations elsewhere in Whitaker Bank Ballpark, with Stein’s former space in the stadium concourse possibly becoming an area for a fan-friendly attraction or made available to a corporate partner.
Poteat has been around the organization long enough to know when to be ready to cover the field with a tarp (“Lord knows I’ve pulled that thing enough times,” he said) and what to expect on Education Day games, as well as how to ensure the person delivering the first pitch is on the mound in time.
The other things, however, he’s essentially learning on the fly –– such as group, season and individual tickets sales, stadium operations, staffing decisions and working with the parent club, Houston Astros, to coordinate player housing and other issues.
“I kind of knew what to expect, but at the same time it happened so fast that kind of made it a little overwhelming at first,” Poteat said. “But it’s going well now. It’s an ongoing process. Andy and I are still working through what roles he’s going to maintain, what he’s going to transition to me and things of that nature. … Working here so long, just the institutional knowledge I have made a lot of people come to me anyhow. But once you’re the general manager, you’re the go-to person for everybody. I have to manage my time more wisely and focus more on bigger-picture things.”
