December 14, 2022
As we near the New Year, a handful of personnel shifts will take place at the SCCA National Office, streamlining and improving how the SCCA Staff serves its membership. These advancements include staffing changes in the SCCA Road Racing plus Marketing and Communications departments, with a Road Racing promotion leading to a new hire for the Tire Rack Street Survival program that is funded in part by SCCA Foundation.
Meanwhile, a staffing reorganization will involve streamlining Business Operations by bringing multiple teams under one department to maximize the structure.
After serving the Club and the SCCA Road Racing program as the Road Racing Technical Manager for the last five years, Rick Harris will begin his entry into retirement. Harris will remain on board full time through March 31, 2023, aiding in the transition as Scott Schmidt, the current Road Racing Technical Assistant, assumes the manager role.
“We have been extremely fortunate to have Rick as part of the SCCA Road Racing team, and he has earned the respect of the membership and volunteer boards and committees that he supports,” said SCCA Director of Road Racing Deanna Flanagan. “I know that I speak for the entire team when I say ‘thank you’ for his dedication, hard work, and friendship over these last five years. We congratulate him on this well-deserved achievement and wish him fun adventures ahead.”
Promoted to the Road Racing Technical Manager position beginning Jan. 1, 2023, Schmidt will continue to serve as the Series Technical Chief for the Hoosier Racing Tire Super Tour and will assume the responsibility of overseeing the communication of all SCCA Road Racing technical specifications to the SCCA Membership. In addition, he will manage the technical programs that support the SCCA Road Racing volunteer community, which includes boards, committees, and event officials.
“I’m looking forward to continuing with the Hoosier Super Tour and the Club Racing Board, while picking up new duties as Rick transitions into retirement,” Schmidt said. “Being able to analyze technical details and solve problems daily for folks who just want to get – and keep – their cars on track is an immense reward.”
With Schmidt’s promotion, Scott Dobler has accepted the role of Road Racing Technical Assistant. There, he will be responsible for Hoosier Super Tour and other general SCCA Road Racing equipment logistics and transportation, technical communications, and member inquiries, as well as maintaining SCCA Road Racing publications like the General Competition Rules (GCR).
Dobler’s SCCA experience is extensive, most recently serving as co-Chair for the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships, the Equipment Manager and Event Ambassador for the National Solo program, and being the National Coordinator for the Tire Rack Street Survival program.
“As a second generation SCCA member, I’ve viewed SCCA Road Racing and the National Championship Runoffs as the pinnacle of road racing,” Dobler said. “My father and friends attended several Runoffs, returning with stories and memories. I am beyond excited to be joining the team.”
Dobler has worked and helped organize Regional road races, as well as being part of SCCA’s Runoffs team for the last few years. “I can’t say enough about the SCCA Staff and community – they have supported me and given me opportunities that I never could’ve dreamed of,” he said.
Both Schmidt and Dobler will continue to work out of the SCCA National Office in Topeka, KS.
Jeff Dahnert, SCCA’s Senior Director of Finance and Administration, will expand his role in the coming year to become the Senior Director of Business Operations. There, he will add to his finance, HR, and sanction/insurance responsibilities by also overseeing IT and Member Services.
“This new position will bring all of the support services that span across our competition programs under one family,” Dahnert explained. “These services and departments are all related, so it makes sense to have them under one umbrella. Each of these areas have strong personnel in place, making coordination easier.”
Reporting directly to SCCA President and CEO Mike Cobb, Dahnert will continue to work out of the SCCA National Office in Topeka, KS.
Following a 10-month hiatus, a familiar face has returned to the SCCA Staff. Andie (Albin) Wolfe has returned to SCCA’s Marketing and Communications department in the role of Multi-Channel Marketing Manager. Wolfe previously spent nearly seven years on the marketing staff as Digital Marketing & Communications Coordinator, then Creative Manager.
While away from SCCA in 2022, Wolfe served as Integrated Marketing Lead for Pet Supplies Plus (PSP), managing the cross-channel integration of marketing efforts for the pet retail chain’s grand openings.
“I don’t regret taking some time away from SCCA,” Wolfe said. “While at PSP, I gained valuable knowledge about marketing a large national company, specifically a company with over 600 independent stores. Many of the tactics used in franchise marketing can be applied to SCCA, and I look forward to bringing these lessons to the Club that’s been close to my heart since childhood.”
Personally, Wolfe has spent her lifetime within SCCA, with experience as a driver in road racing, autocross, RallyCross, Time Trials, and Track Events, and as a volunteer.
“Andie brings a wealth of institutional knowledge back to the staff, so we’re thrilled that she’s rejoined the team,” said Kristen Poole, SCCA’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “I’m excited to see her next round with SCCA as she’ll carry responsibilities across multiple channels to increase marketing impact for the Club.”
Wolfe will continue to reside in Southeast Michigan, working primarily in a remote capacity. Her first day back as a full-time SCCA Staff member was Dec. 5, 2022.
Scott Dobler’s move to the SCCA Road Racing department created an opportunity for a new National Coordinator for the Tire Rack Street Survival program.
“We are very humbled by the many well-qualified and dedicated SCCA members who applied for the National Coordinator position,” said Jeff Jacobs, Chairman of the SCCA Foundation, which assists with Tire Rack Street Survival. “The Club is fortunate to have such a rich and diverse pool of talent in its ranks.”
Of the candidates, South Carolina Region member Melanie Murray earned the position.
“Melanie brings exceptional enthusiasm for the program, as well as many years of experience running the Tire Rack Street Survival program for her home Region,” explained Jacobs. “Her first-hand knowledge about what it takes to run the program locally will be a great benefit to all the SCCA Regions hosting schools in the future.”
Photo Caption: (Clockwise from top left) Jeff Dahnert, Scott Dobler, Andie Wolfe, Melanie Murray, and Scott Schmidt.
