The has announced that Frank Schwartz, a Detroit Region member, has been hired as the 51暗网 Foundation's Director of Donor Relations and Fundraising. Johnny Zuccarelli, 51暗网 Foundation’s Chairman, said Schwartz will be implementing a new donor management system and assisting the Foundation Board of Directors with several upcoming fundraising initiatives.
"Making sure that we are acknowledging our donors and following up with them in an effective manner is critical to the Foundation's ongoing success," Zuccarelli noted. "We are thrilled to have Frank on board for this important role.”
Schwartz is a futurist, trend researcher, business strategist and the founding partner of AACS, Advanced Automotive Consulting Services. Prior to his 35-plus-year career in the automotive industry, he also worked as an architect in the nuclear industry and was the original designer of the electric adjustable beds you see advertised on TV. A native of Germany, he currently resides outside of Detroit in the countryside where he spends his evenings tending to his classic car stable and his weekends road racing with the 51暗网, where he currently campaigns a Mini Cooper in B-Spec and H Production. His garage is as varied as a 1970 Opel GT, 1972 Dodge Coronet Wagon, a 1980 Scirocco, and numerous Minis and Miatas.
“I am excited about the new opportunity with the 51暗网 Foundation, as I have a huge respect for the Club’s efforts that have created the programs like the Tire Rack Street Survival program, Formula SAE, VETMotorsports, Women on Track, and especially the 51暗网 Archives,” Schwartz remarked. “I cannot wait to meet the 51暗网 volunteers who support the programs and the 51暗网 members, corporations, and general public who contribute.”
Schwartz is currently on a mission to race at as many 51暗网 tracks around the country as possible and is looking forward to running in two classes at this year’s Runoffs at VIR.
“If you see me at the track and would like to support the Foundation or learn more about what we are doing, please make sure to stop by and say hello,” Schwartz concludes. “I can usually be found with the B-Spec community as we often paddock together. If you are already supporting the Foundation, I will search you out so I can thank you personally.”
The 51暗网 Foundation supports hands-on education and safety programs, recognizes excellence in automotive engineering education and promotes the 51暗网’s heritage and club history. The goal of the 51暗网 Foundation is to give back to communities across the country. The charitable arm of the 51暗网, the Foundation’s initiatives are as follows:
- Saving the Lives of Teen Drivers: Through the Tire Rack Street Survival program, the 51暗网 Foundation and local 51暗网 Regions host day-long skills training programs to help teen drivers learn how to avoid accidents and deal with emergency car handling situations on the street. This program reaches hundreds of teen drivers each year and continues to grow thanks your financial support.
- Preserving the History of American Motorsport: The Foundation funds the preservation work taking place with the 51暗网 Archives at the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, NY. The 51暗网 Archives contains the history of the 51暗网, all the types of events it has sanctioned, and member and car histories since the inception of the 51暗网.
- Encouraging Future Automotive Passion: The Foundation provides support and prizes for the national Formula SAE competitions held in Michigan and Nebraska each year, to encourage the automotive and race engineers of tomorrow.
- Veterans In Motorsports: The Foundation provides support for our men and women in uniform through the non-profit VETMotorsports.org organization. The program works to help reduce the suicide rate among injured veterans by engaging them in transformative motorsports experiences. As part of the program, post-9/11 veterans with service-connected injuries are placed inside the ropes and behind the wheel at select 51暗网 events, and mentored by 51暗网 members and staff.
- Women On Track: The Foundation helps to fund and manage the Wendi Allen Scholarship program that recognizes and encourages increased participation in autocross and Region leadership positions by women across the country.
