For the greater part of 2020, Heyward Wagner served as senior director of marketing and senior director of experiential programs for the SCCA, though the sanctioning body just announced that Wagner will now solely be in charge of competition programs, with his new title being Senior Director of Solo/RoadRally/RallyCross & Experiential Programs.
The marketing and communications side of his previous role has been given to the head of the SCCA Marketing department Kristen Poole; her new title is Director of Marketing and Communications.
John Hunter and Courtney Rivers, “two deeply involved independent contractors,” have been added on as full-time SCCA employees. Rivers will be responsible “for the promotion and operations of the Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack program,” with Hunter put in charge of “overseeing the promotions and operations of the Tire Rack Time Trials National Tour powered by Hagerty.”
For more information about the leadership restructuring, visit SCCA.com or read the full press release below:
The Sports Car Club of America announces a separation of duties at the leadership level in the Club’s marketing and several competition programs, with Kristen Poole earning a promotion to Director of Marketing and Communications and Heyward Wagner to Sr. Director of Solo/RoadRally/RallyCross & Experiential Programs. In addition, two deeply involved independent contractors – John Hunter and Courtney Rivers - have joined the Club staff as full-time employees.
Wagner had been serving as interim Director of those competition programs throughout most of 2020 in addition to his previous role as Sr. Director of Marketing & Experiential Programs. Wagner’s oversight of the Solo, Rally and Experiential Programs – which include Time Trials and Track Events – becomes a permanent role.
Poole joined the SCCA Marketing department in January of 2020 and served as the day-to-day leader of the team, including a review and revamp of internal and external communications and the introduction of the weekly Up to Speed newsletter.
Both will report directly to SCCA President and CEO Michael Cobb as executive staff members.
“Heyward and Kristen worked closely together in the marketing department across 2020 while Heyward took on the Solo and Rally duties on an interim basis,” Cobb said. “Kristen brought a fresh perspective and some new ideas to build on existing programs and was instrumental in developing new processes like the weekly Up to Speed newsletter in 2020, in addition to managing the many challenges that 2020 brought. Her promotion allows Heyward to concentrate more fully on programs and events, bringing his enthusiasm to Solo and Rally, in addition to our Experiential Programs like Time Trials and Track Night. These moves allow both Heyward and Kristen to play to their strengths as we collaboratively continue to move the Club forward.”
Hunter and Rivers join the program after instrumental roles both on the ground and in behind-the-scenes planning for many Experiential Programs.
Rivers will formalize her role as Track Night in America Program Manager, responsible for the promotion and operations of the Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack program. Rivers takes over a program that continues to grow in its seventh season as a low-barrier-to-entry way for enthusiasts to drive on racetracks across the country.
Hunter will perform similar duties as Time Trials National Series Manager, overseeing the promotions and operations of the Tire Rack Time Trials National Tour powered by Hagerty. An SCCA Solo National Champion and track day enthusiast, Hunter takes the reins of SCCA’s newest National-level competition program and its annual Tire Rack Time Trials Nationals event.
Rivers and Hunter will report to Wagner under the new structure.
“John and Courtney are both truly passionate about the Club, its programs, and helping others to feel that same joy,” Wagner said. “They have been instrumental in both administering and, more importantly, growing our Experiential Programs for many years as contractors. We’re happy they’ve chosen to join our team full-time.”
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