Plummer gets ownership stake in Los Angeles Dodgers
Edwardsville’s biggest Los Angeles Dodgers fan is now one of the team’s owners.
The Dodgers announced Thursday that Edwardsville businessman Robert L. Plummer and Alan Smolinisky have joined its ownership group.
“The two newest members are both civic-minded, accomplished businessmen and lifelong Dodger fans,” said Dodgers Chairman and owner Mark Walter. “We are proud of having built a very strong ownership group, and Robert and Alan will certainly add to that strength. I look forward to having them join us for this exciting post-season run in October.”
Plummer is chairman and CEO of R.P. Lumber Co. Inc., a retail home center and building materials supplier with locations in Illinois and Missouri.
“I have been a fan of the Dodgers since my Little League days, and my involvement with the club is a dream come true,” said Plummer in a Dodgers release.
Plummer also operates and invests in real estate, hospitality, banking, agriculture, and other industries.
One of his favorite real estate developments, “Ebbets Field,” in Edwardsville, has numerous streets named after Dodgers players and managers. Ebbets Field was home of the Dodgers while they were in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Plummer is the father of Jason Plummer, the Republican state senator representing the 54th District in Southern Illinois. The father is a prominent Republican supporter whose name has at times been floated for political office in Illinois, although he has never held public office.
Plummer was born and raised in Litchfield, Ill. A former high school teacher and coach, Plummer graduated from Southern Illinois University. He also serves as chairman of TheBANK of Edwardsville, vice chairman of BJC HealthCare in St. Louis, Mo., and serves on the boards of numerous other charities.
Plummer and his wife, Donna, reside in Edwardsville. Plummer said he considers the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise an American treasure and is humbled to be part of it.
Alan Smolinisky is a principal at Conquest Housing, a private investment company that operates in real estate, publicly traded securities and other entrepreneurial ventures. He also is the owner of the Palisadian-Post, the more than 90-year-old newspaper serving Pacific Palisades (Los Angeles).
Smolinisky was born and raised in Pacific Palisades and currently resides there with his wife, Caroline, and children. Smolinisky earned a B.S. degree from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. He serves on the board of Homeboy Industries, a charity that is the largest gang intervention, rehab and re-entry program in the world.
“I’m a lifelong Dodger fan and to now be a part of their ownership group is an exciting opportunity and time for me and my family,” said Smolinisky.
GSP Securities LLC, a Galatioto Sports Partners company, served as exclusive financial adviser to the Dodgers. Winston & Strawn served as its legal counsel.
