Covarrubias named NHRA VP of sales, business development

National Dragster, Oct 1, 2004

GLENDORA, Calif. - John Covarrubias has been named NHRA's vice president of sales and business development, effective immediately.

Covarrubias most recently served as vice president of corporate sales for Pro Sports & Entertainment, a Santa Barbara, Calif, operator and marketer of live sporting events. Covarrubias also spent eight years managing the corporate sales and servicing departments for Anaheim Sports Inc. and served in various sales capacities with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Anaheim Angels. In other positions, Covarrubias worked as director of corporate sales for the San Diego Chargers, corporate account manager for the Los Angeles Kings, and account executive with Disney Sports Enterprises.

Said NHRA Vice President-Marketing & Sales Gary Darcy, "I am confident that John's extensive corporate sales background and proven track record in sports marketing and sales will enhance and strengthen our momentum as we continue to build NHRA Drag Racing into one of the nation's top sports properties. His experience and relationships in a variety of traditional sports market ing and sales arenas will help NHRA continue to expand to nontraditional and mainstream sponsorship opportunities while continuing to develop and service our important traditional ciicnts."

In his new position, Covarrubias will oversee all NHRA sales and corporate sponsorship programs to meet the ever-expanding needs of the sport, which was recently ranked as the sports property with the greatest value for prospective sponsors by Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal. He wiH play an instrumental role in building the current sponsor base for NHRA and assisting NHRA race teams in identifying sponsorship opportunities.

"I am excited about the challenges and opportunities at NHRA," Covarrubias said. "There are many similarities between my former employers and NHRA in terms of the need for an effective sales and sponsorship program to provide a solid foundation for the organization. I also look forward to servicing the existing sponsorship base and making sure we continue to exceed expectations on all current programs."

Covarrubias holds a bachelor's degree in mass communications with an emphasis in sales and marketing from Menlo College in Atherton, Calif.