NHRA names Franco director of youth and education services
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
April 18, 2001GLENDORA, Calif. - Marc Franco has been named director of youth and education services for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), it was announced today.
In his new position, Franco will be responsible for managing all aspects of the NHRA's Youth and Education Services program, including coordination of U.S. Army education day at all NHRA national events and the Sears Craftsman Scholarship Program. He will also oversee activities at the Automobile Club of Southern Califonia Education Center at the NHRA Motorsports Museum, located at Fairplex in Pomona. In addition, he will coordinate NHRA representation at career opportunity fairs and other education programs on both local and national levels.
"We're pleased to have someone with Marc's experience and capabilities join our growing team," said Gary Darcy, vice president of marketing for NHRA. "We're confident that Marc will be instrumental in elevating our YES program, an extremely vital component of the NHRA's overall mission."
Franco, 50, comes to NHRA following a distinguished career in education and private industry. For 20 years he worked in vocational education for the Charter Oak and Bassett Unified School Districts. He spent the last several years working in marketing, promotions and special events for a Southern California based collision repair service. Franco also is a former advisor to the NHRA YES program, where he also served on the Sears Craftsman Scholarship Program committee.
In addition to his prior experience with NHRA's YES program, Franco's passion for motorsports included serving as a driving instructor for the California Racing Experience.
"I'm certainly looking forward to this exciting challenge," said Franco. "My goal is to grow the Youth and Education program by making more students aware of all the great career opportunities that are available through NHRA drag racing and the world of motorsports. I'm also looking forward to working with the representatives from the U.S. Army during our YES education days at all national events, as well as the Automobile Club of Southern California Education Center at the NHRA Motorsports Museum. I feel fortunate to have an opportunity to make a difference in so many young people's lives."
Franco, an Oregon native, is a graduate of the University of San Francisco and resides in Diamond Bar.
Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 24 national events through its NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has more than 80,000 members nationwide and more than 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series' provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, NHRA Summit Import Series and the Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the Castrol GTX Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.
Text provided by Anthony Vestal
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