Bickmeier named track president of Richmond
Bickmeier most recently served as vice president of consumer sales and marketing for Michigan International Speedway. Joining MIS in 2007, Bickmeier, 44, was responsible for the oversight of three primary departments — communications, corporate partnership sales, and ticket sales and operations.
"It has been a privilege and personally rewarding to be a part of Michigan International Speedway for the past three and half years," Bickmeier said. "While I will miss all the wonderful people at Michigan, I am excited to be joining Richmond International Raceway. I am appreciative of this exciting opportunity and look forward to a great future with much enthusiasm."
Bickmeier's career with ISC initially began in 1999 as the public relations director at Auto Club Speedway, and he was promoted to senior director of communications in 2004, a position he held until '06. During his time at the Southern California-based speedway, Bickmeier became an adjunct faculty member in the University of San Francisco's Sports Management program (2001-06), teaching the Strategic Communications and Sports Public Relations elective.
Bickmeier served as the manager of community relations for Disney-owned Anaheim Sports Inc. (1997-99), the owners of the Major League Baseball team the Anaheim Angels, now the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the National Hockey League's Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He also has served as information director for the Big West Conference (1993-97), and started his professional sports administration career with the National Football League's Los Angeles Rams as the assistant director of public relations (1989-91) and assistant director of sales and promotions (1992-93).
A native Ohioan, Bickmeier received his bachelor's degree from the Ohio University Scripps School of Journalism and his master's from the Ohio University Sports Administration program.
"Dennis is a well-respected sports-management executive having spent his career working within motorsports as well as with other professional sport leagues," ISC president John Saunders said. "Having spent the past 10 years at two of ISC's motorsports facilities, he is well prepared to take the helm of Richmond International Raceway. His proven management and leadership skills will facilitate a smooth transition from Michigan to Richmond. We congratulate him on his new position and look forward to his continued success within ISC."