SARATOGA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM NAMES
STEVE POTTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Saratoga Springs, NY – May 31, 2006
Bob Bailey, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Saratoga Automobile Museum, has announced the appointment of Steve Potter as Executive Director of the museum, effective June 1st.
“Steve is arriving at an opportune time, as the museum enters its fifth year,” Bailey said. “His extensive experience in the automobile and motorsports industries, and his background as a journalist are important resources for our museum.”
Formerly the Vice President and General Manager of Lime Rock Park, a road racing course in Lakeville, CT., Potter has had a long career in the sports marketing and automotive public relations field, following nine years as motorsports correspondent for the New York Times.
Potter was the manager of sports marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA from 1995 to 2001 and was a provider of consultant services to the New York Auto Show, Ford Motor Division, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda Motors of America and Jaguar Cars of North America. He spent six years as East Coast Public Relations Manager for Mazda Motor of America. During his time as a journalist, Potter also served as senior editor of Turner Broadcasting’s MotorWeek Illustrated.
During his tenure with Mercedes-Benz, Potter handled programs in men’s professional golf through the PGA Tour, tennis with the ATP Tour and the CART FedEx Championship Series and the US Grand Prix in motorsports.
“Steve has worked in the automobile industry most of his life and is recognized throughout the country” said search committee member Jean Hoffman. “Also impressive is the fact that he is personable and goes out of his way to make people feel welcome. That is a hallmark of this auto museum, so I think he’ll fit in perfectly with our professional staff and volunteers.”
Along with his professional experience on the business side of motorsports, Potter spent 15 years behind the wheel, winning a pair of Sports Car Club of America divisional championships and competing for a season in the rough and tumble modified division at New Jersey’s Wall Stadium.
Potter holds a bachelors degree from Harvard University and did graduate work in clinical psychology at Rutgers University. His wife, Kathy Drake, is a retired editor at Money Magazine and a Skidmore graduate. They are in the process of relocating to the Saratoga area.