Allison Melangton oversees marketing, communications and corporate partnerships for Penske Entertainment, owner of the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Melangton has been involved in almost every major sports event in Indianapolis over the last several decades. She served 20 years on the executive leadership team of Indiana Sports Corp., the last two as president. She was CEO of the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee. In 2014, she joined Hulman Motorsports—now Penske Entertainment—and led the planning and execution of the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016. She was an associate producer for gymnastics for NBC Sports at six Olympic Games. She serves on the boards of OneAmerica, the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, the St. Vincent Foundation, the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis Economic Club.
Hobby: “I grew up in Maine and started skiing when I was 4 years old. My dad was a national champion ski-jumper, so skiing is in my heritage and I love it!”
John Mellencamp is an award-winning singer-songwriter. As a painter, collector and longtime activist, he has exhibited his work in galleries and museums across the United States. He is a member of the Rock and Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame, a recipient of the John Steinbeck Award, ASCAP Foundation‘s Champion Award, The Woody Guthrie Award, the Americana Music Association‘s Lifetime Achievement Award and, most recently, the Founders Award, the top honor assigned by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. His latest studio LP, “Strictly a One-Eyed Jack,” was released in January. Mellencamp‘s professional music career began in earnest in 1976 when MCA Records released his first album, “The Chestnut Street Incident.” His manager dubbed him Johnny Cougar; Mellencamp protested and ultimately reclaimed his name on the 1991 album “Whenever We Wanted.” In 1985, Mellencamp teamed up with Willie Nelson and Neil Young to launch Farm Aid to bring attention to the issues facing farmers and how they affect the country.
Mark Miles is president and CEO of Penske Entertainment, where his role is to oversee the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar and IMS Productions; increase viewership and attendance of the NTT IndyCar Series; and preside over the Indianapolis 500. From 2013 to 2020, Miles was president and CEO of Hulman & Co., the previous parent organization. Before entering the world of motorsports, Miles was president and CEO of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership. In 2008, he led the successful effort to earn Indianapolis the right to host Super Bowl XLVI. In conjunction with the 2012 Super Bowl, Miles spearheaded a civic effort, the Legacy Project, on the near-east side. He also has been CEO of the Association of Tennis Professionals and, in 1984, was chosen to organize and produce the Pan American Games.
Advice for young people: “Try to always under-promise and overdeliver.”
Lesson learned: “Simplify and communicate clearly in order to accomplish difficult tasks.”
Angelo Pizzo is a filmmaker known for iconic sports films, including “Hoosiers” (1986) and “Rudy” (1993). He has spent the past two decades lobbying for tax incentives to encourage movie and film production in Indiana—changes the Legislature approved this year. Pizzo said he is in the midst of writing and developing a number of film projects and is “directing a film that I wrote in the fall, hopefully here in Indiana because of our new tax credit bill.” He serves on the boards of the Indiana University Libraries, the Indiana University Varsity Club, and Bloomington Arts Council.
Advice for young people: “Never personalize rejection or someone saying no to you or your work. Be like Rudy in that regard.”
Sabbatical topic: “Sicilian history”
Toughest challenge: “Breaking into the film business, which so many people told me was impossible. And it was far from easy.”
Mel Raines has 30 years of experience leading teams in event operations, legislative, political, corporate and public affairs. As president and COO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, she oversees corporate communications, community engagement, facility operations, human resources, IT and all construction projects, including the $360 million renovation of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. In addition, she is president of the 2024 NBA All-Star Local Organizing Committee. Raines started her career working for Indiana Sen. Dan Coats and served as assistant to Vice President Dick Cheney for political affairs. She has worked in various roles on six Republican national conventions and before joining the Indiana Pacers was chief of staff to Indiana U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks.
Listening to: “The Tim Ferriss Show” podcast
Advice for young people: “Be an active reader. … It‘s important to be able to have intelligent conversations on a variety of topics with your leadership, partners and customers.”
Indiana love: “Without a doubt, it‘s the people.”
Clay Robinson learned the craft of brewing beer at the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery downtown in the spring of 1999. In 2005, Robinson began working at the Ram Restaurant and Brewery alongside his friend and Sun King co-founder, Dave Colt. During their time together, they created the foundation for their business plan. Robinson left his job in 2008, and Sun King rolled out its first keg of beer in July 2009. It‘s now available on tap and in cans throughout Indiana, Illinois and Florida. Sun King also partners with hundreds of community organizations, helping raise more than $1 million each year through community givebacks, gift baskets and beer donations.
Something surprising: “I‘m a huge Taylor Swift fan.”
Sabbatical topic: “I would want to move my family abroad and immerse us in a totally different culture.”
Worry: I try not to worry. Inevitably, whatever you are worrying about never turns out like you thought.”
Walk-up song: “Sabotage,” by the Beastie Boy
Jennifer Pace Robinson was named president and CEO of The Children‘s Museum of Indianapolis in May 2021. She has worked for the museum for 29 years, most recently as vice president of experience development & family learning with a focus on creating dynamic, immersive, hands-on experiences that attract and engage family audiences while teaching about the arts, sciences and humanities. Her published works include articles about the social nature of learning in museums and the innovative use of real artifacts and real stories in exhibit development.
Something surprising: “I designed and built a children‘s museum in Cairo, Egypt, through my work with the Supreme Council of Antiquities. I‘m also an identical twin!”
Hobbies: “I love trail running and swimming.”
Most admires: “Ruby Bridges. … I am in awe of her decision to continue to tell her story and fight racism as an adult.”
Walk-up song: “The Sweet Escape,” by Gwen Stefan
KP Singh creates intricate pen-and-ink drawings of historic architectural landmarks in Indiana and around the world. His drawings are present at many fundraising events and his artwork can be found in many public and private collections. In 2007, three of his original drawings were installed in The Sikh Heritage Gallery at The Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C. Singh came to the United States in 1965 for higher studies and has made Indianapolis his home since 1967. He is a founding member of The International Center of Indianapolis, a 2011 FBI Citizens Academy graduate, and he assists with cultural training for police officers and TSA personnel.
Admires most: “His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama”
Advice for young people: “Focus on the effort, not on
the destination.”
Indiana love: “I love the welcoming and friendly spirit of the Hoosiers who I have been blessed to know and learn from in my over five decades in Indiana.
Ryan Vaughn was elected Indiana Sports Corp. president in September 2014, and under his leadership, Indianapolis hosted multiple Big Ten championships, NCAA tournaments and championships, and the College Football Playoff National Championship. He also led the city‘s effort to host the entire NCAA Men‘s Basketball Championship Tournament in 2021. In July, Vaughn joined tech firm Sondhi Solutions as president and general counsel. Previously, Vaughn served as chief of staff to Mayor Greg Ballard and on the City-County Council, including two years as president. He also is president and CEO of a new not-for-profit, SportsTech HQ.
Hobbies: “I own and rebuilt a ‘79 Corvette.”
Civic cause: “Helping orchestrate $50 million in funding for pre-K scholarships for low-income families was pretty special.”
Sabbatical topic: “culinary arts”
Walk-up song: “Hells Bells,” by AC/DC
Pete Ward joined the Baltimore Colts in 1981 as an intern and began working for the club full time the following year. Ward was “intensively involved” with the Colts‘ move to Indianapolis in 1984. He became chief operating officer in 2010 and was the Colts‘ point person for the design and construction of Lucas Oil Stadium as well for the Super Bowl the city hosted in 2012. He is chair of the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center Development Board and serves on the boards of the Indianapolis Zoo, USA Football and Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee.
Something surprising: “I went through a phase in
college where I wanted to be foreign correspondent for
The New York Times.”
Reading: “The Gate,” by Francois Bizot. “An incredible account of the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge.”
Admires most: “Right now, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I wish he played football.”
