Anonaunt's World

Mark Lamkin could be Donald Trump's business associate


By STEPHEN THOMAS, Staff Writer Monday, September 19, 2005 7:36 AM CDT


SHEPHERDSVILLE - Could the president of his own company be fired?

He could, if he was in the same room with Donald Trump.

Mark T. Lamkin, MBA, RFC, CSA, is president and CEO of Lamkin Wealth Management, based in Louisville. He will be one of 18 contestants appearing in the NBC television reality show, "The Apprentice: Season Four," featuring Trump.

Lamkin is a Bullitt County native, a former student at Overdale Elementary, Hebron Middle and North Bullitt High School.

A former baseball and football player, the '87 North Bullitt graduate also coached the Eagles in the '90s and still participates in team funding.

"I do stay in contact with them," Lamkin admitted.


Even football coaches could not prepare Lamkin for his encounter with "The Donald."

Lamkin attended Western Kentucky University for three years before earning a finance degree with the University of Louisville and an MBA through Bellarmine University. He and his wife, Jennifer, still live in the Louisville area with their two children.

With 15 years of financial planning experience, Lamkin went solo four years ago with his own financial services company.

Lamkin refers to himself as a "serial entrepreneur," always hoping to help the local area. As he mentioned it, Lamkin starts businesses and then sells them for profit.


"That's one of the reasons why the show was interested in me," he said.

"The Apprentice" was created with Trump in mind. The show consists of 18 candidates, divided into two teams, participating in various tasks. Weekly winning teams receive rewards, while losing teams will lose a member when The Donald says, "You're fired!"

Season Four includes a few new twists, including the first time Trump has hand-selected each contestant.

Also new this season are weekly project managers. A different member of each team will be selected as project manager for the week.

According to Lamkin, the project manager of the losing team must select two team members to join them in a meeting with The Donald. One of the three will be fired.

"Participating is totally different than being an 'armchair quarterback' watching these shows," he said, comparing the experience to being "in a fishbowl."

According to Lamkin, over one million tapes and interviews were received by NBC from hopeful contestants. Lamkin participated in an open casting call held in Louisville earlier this summer. He said many friends suggested that he try out.

"I had no intentions of doing it, I had no time for it. I never watched reality TV," said Lamkin. "But then my Mom asked me. She liked the show."

Lamkin produced a three-minute taped bio along with a 12-page application. He soon received a call from the show's producers. Following a meeting with the producers, Lamkin was on his way to Hollywood with his fellow contestants.

"There's a tremendous amount of talented contestants from various companies," Lamkin said, mentioning that friends were made and that he still keeps in touch with a few of them.

So what was it like to meet The Donald?

"(Trump) just commands a room when he comes in," said Lamkin. "Everything centers around him."

Lamkin even commented on Trump's grooming techniques.

"The hair's real," he said. "It's as bad as advertised."

The shows were all pre-recorded, with secrecy a key issue. Therefore, Lamkin can't discuss details. If you want to know how he did, you'll have to tune in and watch.

Regardless of the results, Lamkin did state that the experience has made him a better person.

"My comfort zone was stretched beyond belief," he said. "That's when great things happen."

"The Apprentice: Season Four" is scheduled to air Thursdays at 9 p.m. on NBC. The show premiers this Thursday, Sept. 22.

Lamkin will view the season premier at Lucky Strike Lanes at Fourth Street Live in Louisville as part of a VIP Red Carpet Launch Party. The event will feature surprise guests, special entertainment and "Trumptinis."

For more information about Lamkin, visit www.marktlamkin.com. For more information about "The Apprentice: Season Four," go to www.nbc.com.