James C. ("Jim") France serves as Chairman of the Board of International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"), a motorsports entertainment company based in Daytona Beach, Fla. He assumed this role in June 2007.
In addition to his position with ISC, France serves as Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary of NASCAR.
France grew up in the early years of stock car racing, living and learning every detail of the sport from his own experiences, and from his father Bill France, Sr., the founder and first president of NASCAR, as well as guidance and direction from his mother, Anne B. France, and older brother, Bill France, Jr.
Joining ISC in 1959, France, in his early years with the company, worked in all phases of operations including parker, ticket stubber, ticket seller and manager of ticket gate operations.
Until June 2009, France served as Chief Executive Officer of ISC. He was elected to the ISC Board of Directors in 1970 and has served as the company's Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, Vice President, and Executive Vice President before being named ISC's President and Chief Operating Officer in 1987. He was also named to the NASCAR Board of Directors in November 2000.
France has been involved in motorsports most of his life. He has been a strong supporter of motorcycle racing in the United States, evident by his professional involvement in the sport. He was active in Legends Car racing and the Allison "Legacy" Car Series. He was BF Goodrich Legends Cars national tour champion in 1992 and has had a good deal of success in the Gatorade Florida Legends Series.
He served as starter for the U.S. Motorcycle Grand Prix in the late 1960s, raced dirt track races for nearly five years and has been a member of the American Motorcyclist Association for more than 30 years. In addition, France has raced karts on both dirt and asphalt.
France has served as a board member for ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee of the United States).
France was on active duty in the U.S. Army (1969-1970) where he served a stint in Vietnam.
France was born and raised in Daytona Beach, Fla., and graduated from Seabreeze High School. He attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Fla., and earned a business degree in 1968.
He also serves on the Board of Directors for SunTrust Bank, East Central Florida, SunTrust Bank, Central Florida, Harold E. LeMay Museum, Kyle Petty Charity Ride, Inc., and the Stewart-Marchman Foundation.
Lesa France Kennedy, named "The Most Influential Woman in Sports Business" by Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal, serves as Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors for International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"), a motorsports entertainment company. She also serves as a Vice Chairperson of NASCAR.
Kennedy's vision and business acumen have made her one of the most influential leaders in the motorsports industry. Joining the Company in 1983, Kennedy has been instrumental in the growth of ISC and the advancement of motorsports.
Throughout her career, Kennedy has received numerous industry honors, including:
"Most Influential Woman in Business" by Volusia Flagler Business Report;
"Female Sports Executive of the Year" by Street and Smith's SportsBusiness Journal;
One of the "25 Most Influential People in NASCAR" by the Charlotte Observer - 2001 through 2006.
Juneteenth 2009 "Hometown Hero" by the City of Daytona Beach
Kennedy is a supporter of the London Symphony Orchestra; the American Heart Association; the Victory Junction Gang; and, the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences.
Kennedy received a B.A. in economics and a B.A. in psychology from Duke University in 1983.
John Saunders serves as President for International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"). In this role, Saunders focuses on the strategic direction of ISC's long-term goals. Previously, Saunders served as Executive Vice President (2004-2009) and the Company's COO (2003-2009), where he led all marketing, sales, administration and operations of the company. Saunders also served as Senior Vice President of Operations for the ISC from 1999-2003.
During his tenure as Senior Vice President of Operations, Saunders was responsible for strategic planning as well as overseeing several the Company's motorsports facilities and corporate administration. He also oversaw the integration of Penske Motorsports' facilities in 1999.
Saunders also served as the ISC's Vice President of Administrative Services responsible for strategic planning for the corporation as well as development and implementation of administrative services including human resources and corporate communications at all ISC facilities.
Saunders served as President of ISC's Watkins Glen International, the company's motorsports facility located in Watkins Glen, N.Y. from 1983-1997. As President of WGI, he led the growth of the facility through the early 80s and 90s and was instrumental in landing a Winston Cup date for the road course in 1986. He also oversaw redevelopment and expansion of the facility.
Saunders joined Corning Incorporated in 1980 as Manager of Merchandising and Food Services in Corning Glass Center in Corning, N.Y. In 1983, he was named President of the motorsports facility at Watkins Glen which had been purchased by then, Corning Glassworks and ISC. ISC purchased Corning's remaining interest in WGI in 1997.
Saunders continues to serve as Chairman and Director at WGI and holds several other executive positions within the company. He also serves on the Board of Managers for Motorsports Authentics LLC and Grand American Racing LLC, and on the Board of Directors for the United States Auto Club.
In 2002, Saunders was named Vice Chairman, Board of Directors International Motor Racing Research Center.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
W. Garrett Crotty serves as Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"). He joined the Company in 1996.
In his position, Crotty is responsible for overseeing all legal matters of ISC including contract drafting and review, litigation, licensing and other compliance work.
Crotty also serves on ISC's Strategic Planning Committee, where was actively involved in the acquisition of Phoenix International Raceway; Penske Motorsports, Inc.; Homestead-Miami Motorsports Complex; Richmond International Raceway; the development of Kansas Speedway; and, the formation of Motorsports Authentics.
Crotty graduated Magna Cum Laude from Duke University in 1985. He also attended the University of Florida where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1988, graduating as a member of Honor Court. Crotty obtained a Masters in Taxation Law at New York University in 1991.
In addition to serving as an executive officer of ISC, he also serves as an executive officer for several other companies including Event Equipment Leasing, Inc.; Event Corporation; Kansas Speedway Corporation; North American Testing Company; Phoenix Speedway Corp.; Darlington Raceway of South Carolina, LLC; and Watkins Glen International, Inc.
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Dan Houser serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"). As Chief Financial Officer, Houser is responsible for leading the financial direction of the Company. Oversight includes capital structure decisions, long-term financial planning, financial reporting and tax.
Houser has played an integral role in ISC's rapid growth during the past 15 years, including acquisitions and development projects that have grown the company from a regional to national footprint. As well, Houser has been instrumental in the Company securing the equity and debt financing necessary for this growth.
He joined ISC in 1993 as Division Controller for ISC's wholly owned subsidiary, Americrown Service Corporation. Houser assumed the position of Assistant Controller for International Speedway Corporation in 1994 was promoted to Controller and Chief Accounting Officer in 1996, Vice President in 2005, Chief Financial Officer in 2008 and Senior Vice President in 2009.
Houser holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Accounting from the University of Central Florida.
Chairman of Talladega and Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
Grant Lynch serves as Chairman of Talladega Superspeedway and Vice President, Strategic Initiatives for International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"). Lynch is responsible for overseeing the strategic management and community leadership for one of ISC's premier facilities while continuing to provide leadership and execution for key strategic projects across the Company.
Prior to his current role, Lynch was Senior Vice President, Business Operations of International Speedway Corporation responsible for all of ISC's motorsports facilities and subsidiaries. Prior to that he was President of Talladega Superspeedway. In addition to his responsibilities at Talladega, Lynch's duties included overseeing operations at Kansas Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway.
Lynch joined the staff at Talladega Superspeedway in January of 1993 as General Manager and became Vice President of ISC in November of that year. In 1997, ISC appointed Lynch to oversee the construction and management of Kansas Speedway. In 2004, ISC appointed Lynch to head efforts to construct a track in the Pacific Northwest, near Seattle, WA.
He is a major contributor in the community, serving on numerous boards and helping with charitable activities. Lynch is on the Board of Directors of Regions Bank of Talladega County and is chairman and a board member of the Talladega Economic Development Authority. He is also on the Alabama Wildlife Federation and Natural Resources Board and serves on the Boy Scout Council Board.
Lynch serves on the board for the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind and is a trustee for Race Fever night, an annual fundraiser for the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation, and has chaired the event in the past.
Prior to joining Talladega Superspeedway, Lynch spend 11 years with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. where in his last post as Senior Manager of Operations and Public Relations, he managed the company's involvement in NASCAR Winston Cup racing. His career there spanned back to 1982, when he joined RJR Special Events as a Camel GT Series show car driver and was quickly promoted to Show Car Supervisor in 1983. In 1984, Lynch was promoted again to Team Representative on the NHRA Winston Drag Series, and was named Assistant Team Manager in 1985.
Two years later, Lynch moved to the Vantage Cup Senior PGA Tour as Assistant Team Manager and was promoted to Team Manager just five months later. Then in July 1990, he moved to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series as Senior Manager Of Operations And Public Relations.
Some of the projects that Lynch headed for RJR's Sports Marketing Enterprises were the Vantage Championship, NASCAR Winston Cup banquets, NASCAR Winston Cup Preview, NASCAR Operation Desert Support, The Winston Legends races and The Winston all-star event.
Lynch graduated from Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, N.C. He attended Lees-McRae Junior College in Banner Elk, N.C. and N.C. State University before joining RJR.
He and his wife, the former Marcia Pfaff of Winston-Salem, have two daughters, Ashley and Sara Katherine. They reside in Talladega.
Vice President, Multi-Channel Marketing and Chief Information Officer
Craig Neeb serves as International Speedway Corporation's ("ISC") Vice President, Multi-Channel Marketing and Chief Information Officer. In this role Neeb will be responsible for executing and optimizing multi-channel marketing programs associated with ISC's consumer marketing strategy. Specific areas of operational oversight include MRN Radio, interactive media, ISC's Contact Center, Creative Development, Motorsports Images and Archives, direct mail and print operations. Also, Mr. Neeb will continue to oversee ISC's information and telecommunications services with specific emphasis on positioning technology to maximize its impact on business strategies as well as the Company's strategic planning process.
Mr. Neeb assumes this role from his previous position as Managing Director, Chief Information Officer, a position he has held since 2000-2009. During that time Neeb has successfully developed and implemented ISC's Strategic Internet initiative, developed and implemented a state of the art ticketing solution, ERP implementation utilizing PeopleSoft and a state of the art mobile retail point of sale technology. The Internet Strategy focused on providing an intuitive and informative site design for guests of ISC facilities. To date, ISC has realized a 120% increase in site traffic resulting in a 240% increase in ticket sales over the Internet. The custom developed ticketing application was a rationalization of three legacy systems into a browser based CRM model. All the technology employed enhances ISC's ability to effectively market and retain its customers.
Prior to his position at ISC, Neeb served as Vice President, Information Technology at AmeriServe Foodservice Distribution, a $9 billion food service distribution business, in Coral Gables, Fla. At AmeriServe, Neeb was responsible for the company's information systems application development, technical services, telecommunications and Year 2000 compliance efforts.
Neeb also served as Vice President, Inventory Management and Purchasing for ProSource Distribution Service. While at ProSource, he also served as Director, Materials Management, Director of Business Re-Engineering and Director of Information Systems. Before joining ProSource, Neeb spent nine years within Burger King Corporation in several IT disciplines. Areas of responsibility included Retail Systems support, mid-range technical support for all Grand Met companies, restaurant sales systems support and distribution systems management.
Personally, Craig is married with two children and enjoys boating, fishing, diving and golfing.
Brian Wilson serves as Vice President of Corporate Development for International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"). He joined the Company in February 2006.
Wilson oversees land use and development projects, property transactions and the Company's real estate capital spending process, with special emphasis on capital allocation and land management strategies.
Prior to joining ISC, Wilson served as Managing Director of Acquisitions for American Realty Advisors in Glendale, California, where he oversaw equity real estate acquisitions for the firm, and served on the firm's Investment Committee.
Wilson also served as Senior Vice President, Global Real Estate (2001-03), and Vice President, Finance and Investment Management (1999-2001), for Vivendi Universal, the $31 billion annual revenue media and telecommunications company parent of Universal Studios.
Prior to his employment at Vivendi Universal, Wilson was Director, Investment Management, Walt Disney Imagineering (1997-99), and Development Manager, Disney Development Company (1993-97), for the Walt Disney Company in Burbank, CA.
Wilson holds a Master of International Management from Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Arizona State University.
Tracie K. Winters serves as International Speedway Corporation's ("ISC") Vice President of Business Development.
Winters oversees ISC's new business growth opportunities and initiatives as well as the Company's strategic planning process.
Joining ISC in 1999, Winters has held various positions with the Company, most recently as Managing Director of Business Development. Prior to her positions at ISC, Ms. Winters served as Investor Relations Director for Gencor Industries Inc., in Orlando, Florida. Previous to that position, she worked for the investment banking group at Credit Suisse First Boston in New York, New York.
Winters earned her undergraduate degree in International Finance from Brigham Young University, and her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Florida.
Daryl Q. Wolfe serves as International Speedway Corporation's ("ISC") Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. He has been employed by ISC since 1995.
Wolfe oversees the Company's corporate and consumer sales and marketing initiatives, and manages ISC's licensing properties. In addition, he has overall responsibility for integrated media sales and ISC's custom publishing department. Wolfe oversees a staff that identifies, negotiates, secures and oversees the day-to-day management of marketing partnerships with many of the most powerful and visible companies in America. The Marketing Partnership group is charged with maximizing revenue by utilizing ISC's collective portfolio of marketing assets.
Wolfe's team manages relationships by identifying specific goal-oriented marketing programs and cross-corporate opportunities for existing partners. Those partnerships include numerous multi-business unit agreements and single and multi-track agreements in more than 100 different sponsorship categories. He also works closely with ISC's network partners (ABC, FOX, ESPN, Speed Channel, Etc...) focusing on pre-promotion and media sales surrounding ISC's events.
Wolfe most currently served as ISC's Vice President, Sales and Media and prior to that, ISC's Managing Director – Marketing Partnerships. Prior to ISC marketing, Wolfe held a variety of positions at ISC, including Promotions Representative and Director of Publicity at Daytona International Speedway, an ISC facility.
Wolfe graduated from Florida State University in 1992, earning a BA in Finance.
Joie Chitwood III serves as Vice President of Business Operations for International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"). In his role, Chitwood will lead strategy development and business execution across the Company's 13 motorsports facilities and Americrown Service Corp., ISC's catering, concessions and merchandising subsidiary.
Prior to joining ISC in August 2009, Chitwood served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), overseeing daily operations for IMS, including Brickyard Crossing Inn and Brickyard Crossing Golf Course. He joined the staff of the IMS as Senior Vice President, Business Affairs on Oct. 1, 2002.
Chitwood was also Vice President and General Manager of Raceway Associates, LLC, which oversaw construction of the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., from 1999-2002. In 2001, the track began playing host to Indy Racing League- and NASCAR-sanctioned events. During his tenure at Chicagoland, Chitwood also served on the board of directors of several Joliet-area economic development organizations.
Chitwood was also an integral part of his family's entertainment business, the well-known Chitwood Thrill Show, beginning at age 5. He began his career as a stuntman and later specialized in precision driving.
In 1992, Chitwood earned a business administration and finance degree from the University of Florida. He also studied at Cambridge University in England and earned a master of business administration degree from the University of South Florida.
Chitwood sits on the board of trustees for the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and is a member of the advisory committee for the Sports Executive Leadership Conference. He was previously a member of the Indianapolis 2012 Super Bowl bid committee and the 500 Festival board of directors, as was an adjunct professor at Marian College in Indianapolis.
Contact Information
Charles N. Talbert
Director, Investor and Corporate Communications
PO Box 2801
Daytona Beach, FL 32120-2801
Phone: (386) 681-4281
Fax: (386) 947-6489
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