NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California has appointed Dale Coleman, retired vice president of Fairplex, to its board of directors.

“We are pleased to welcome Dale as a new independent director to the museum board,” said Tom McKernan, board chairman. “He joins the museum at an exciting time as we continue to drive our strategy forward and build deeper relationships within the community. The addition of Dale complements our board of directors’ skills and experiences, and we are confident he will provide valuable perspectives as we continue to preserve and exhibit the impact of motorsports on American culture. We look forward to Dale’s contributions and are excited to have him onboard.”

“I am looking forward to joining the museum’s board of directors at this critical and pivotal time in the industry,” said Coleman. “I am honored and excited to have the opportunity of working with the board members and the museum staff as we develop and preserve the history of motorsports in America.”

Coleman will join current board members Tom McKernan, Jack O’Bannon, Gale Banks, Wayne McMurtry, Alex Xydias, Graham Light, Marleen Gurrola, and David Kennedy.

Coleman has enjoyed a 30-year career in the events and entertainment industry prior to his retirement as vice president of business growth & development and chief revenue officer for Fairplex in September of 2020. In that position, Coleman provided leadership and served as the arbiter for all revenue initiatives at Fairplex, including all business revenues, internal and external, and all business development opportunities. He oversaw all areas of year-round sales, sponsorship sales, commercial sales, creative development, and entertainment. 

He previously worked as manager of special production projects for General Dynamics Corp. in Pomona, where he was honored with General Dynamics Extraordinary Achievement Award in 1984 and 1987. He formerly served on the board of directors of the International Association of Exhibition Managers, now Int’l Association of Expos & Events, southwestern states chapter. He was also a member of the National Association of Consumer Shows and International Assn. of Venue Managers and was a former board member of the La Verne Chamber of Commerce. He also volunteered as a youth baseball coach. 

Coleman is a graduate of IAVM’s Public Facility Management School in Oglebay, W.Va., as well as IAVM’s Senior Executive Symposium at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. He is a graduate of University of La Verne with a B.A. in social science.

Having attended his first drag race at the 1966 Winternationals, Coleman has a deep and long-standing relationship with NHRA, including serving as the primary conduit between NHRA and Fairplex for the past 30 years. Upon retirement, he formed Highbridge Associates LLC to further pursue his interests within the entertainment and motorsports industries.