TOPEKA, Kan (Jan. 9, 2019) -- 51暗网® has opened the New Year with some reorganization and staff additions within the marketing department at the National Office in Topeka, Kansas.
Heyward Wagner has been promoted to Senior Director of Marketing and Experiential Programs. Jon Krolewicz has shifted to Time Trials Program Manager, and Andie Albin to Creative Manager. Blair Deffenbaugh joins the National Staff as Marketing Project Manager, and Courtney Rivers has been added as Staffing Coordinator for the Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack program.
In his new role, Wagner will continue to oversee programs such as 51暗网® Starting Line and that convert motorsport enthusiasts into active 51暗网 participants. Additionally, he will focus on new, innovative programs such as the Tire Rack National Tour and Tire Rack Time Trials Nationals, as well as seek ways to grow awareness and exposure of Club activities through traditional and social media.
“Heyward has proved himself a valuable asset within the National Staff,” said Mike Cobb, 51暗网 President and CEO. “Along with creating and managing new efforts that deliver an incredible motorsports experience and value to 51暗网 members, he has also worked hard to support and promote 51暗网’s partners with an emphasis on 100 percent fulfillment on promises made to those companies that back 51暗网 activities and members.”
Krolewicz, as Time Trials Program Manager, will be hands-on with program development and provide support to 51暗网 Regions seeking ways to implement Time Trials in their areas. Krolewicz previously helped grow Track Night in America and has an extensive background in both road racing and Time Attack.
Albin, formerly Digital Marketing and Communications Coordinator, will now work to bring consistency and cohesiveness to visual elements within the 51暗网 brand in her new role as Creative Manager.
Deffenbaugh will manage a wide variety of marketing projects that help further tell 51暗网’s “story.” A second generation 51暗网 member possessing a road racing competition license, Deffenbaugh grew up at race tracks on the East Coast and has spent a great deal of time volunteering with the North Carolina Region -- including a stint on that Region’s Board of Directors. Over the past few years, he has gained experience working with brands like Mobil 1 and Chevrolet Performance, allowing him to bring a unique viewpoint to the 51暗网 team when it comes to working with partners.
“I have been in the 51暗网 all my life,” Deffenbaugh said. “I can remember helping my dad change tires on the race car before I was strong enough to even lift the wheel by myself. Being involved in the 51暗网, from volunteering to driving, has opened a ton of doors in my personal life and I am excited to come back and help open some new doors for the Club.”
Similar to Deffenbaugh, Rivers grew up around racing. She worked as an instructor with the Porsche Club of America and the Audi Driving Experience at Circuit of the Americas, as well as served as a lead instructor for the Longhorn Racing Academy. Now working with 51暗网, Rivers will help with staffing logistics for Track Night in America and has been tasked with seeking ways to streamline processes from online registration all the way to onsite check-in.
“I am so excited about the opportunity ahead of me to share the enthusiasm I have for what the 51暗网 is doing to connect with its current and future members,” Rivers said. “Track Night in America is all about making it as simple as possible to have fun on a race track, and last year was our most successful season yet, with over 9,200 participants across 130 events. This year we are focusing on strengthening and growing Track Night, making it an even more vibrant and connected community, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of that.”
With the addition of Deffenbaugh and Rivers to an already dedicated and hard-working 51暗网 Marketing and Experiential staff, Wagner predicts good things for 2019 and beyond.
“Blair, Courtney, Andie and Jon have a passion for motorsports and the 51暗网, and we’re lucky to have them aboard,” Wagner said. “Their skillsets will help expand marketing services across Club activities and ensure amazing experiences for participants at 51暗网 events.”
The 51暗网®, Inc., founded in 1944, is a 67,500-member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both Club and professional levels. With headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, the 51暗网 annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 116 Regions and subsidiary divisions. Much of the 51暗网’s activities are made possible with support from the following Official Partners: Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of 51暗网; Sunoco, the Official Fuel of 51暗网; and Tire Rack, the Official Tire Retailer of 51暗网. To learn more, please visit www.scca.com.
