IndyCar shake-up: Jay Frye promoted to president; chief marketing office C.J. O'Donnell resigns

Jay Frye can now be referred to as Mr. President at the IndyCar offices.

Frye was promoted to IndyCar president Monday afternoon. Previously, he was IndyCar president of Competition and Operations beginning in fall 2015. 

Under Frye’s leadership in that department, IndyCar has been on a fast track with new teams and team owners joining the series, a slick-looking aerodynamic package, a race being added to Circuit of the Americas and a return to Laguna Seca. On the horizon is a new series sponsor that could be announced as early as March 2019 and continuing negotiations for a third engine manufacturer joining the series.

Most importantly, Frye has been successful in creating a unified IndyCar paddock. Historically, that has always been difficult to do.

On Monday, IndyCar CEO Mark Miles named Frye IndyCar president.

Frye, who has led IndyCar's Competition and Operations departments since November 2015, will add marketing and communications to his responsibilities, effective Jan. 1. Miles will continue as CEO of IndyCar.

Frye joined Hulman & Company, which owns IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in 2013 as chief revenue officer, leading the combined team of IndyCar and IMS in sponsorship sales, licensing and account services. In 2014, the team secured a title sponsorship agreement with Verizon as well as the addition and expansion of several other corporate partners, including TAG Heuer and Panasonic.

Mark Sibla, IndyCar chief of staff, competition and operations, will similarly expand his role with the Indianapolis-based sanctioning body, becoming chief of staff of all IndyCar departments.

The reorganization is a result of C.J. O'Donnell's resignation at year's end. O'Donnell has been chief marketing officer at IndyCar and IMS since November 2013.

Curt Cavin, IndyCar vice president, communications, and a new role to be filled, IndyCar vice president, marketing, will report to Frye.

Additional organizational changes have been made at IMS, including:

   — Jarrod Krisiloff will have his responsibilities expanded at IMS, becoming vice president, facilities and events. He has been executive director, events, for the past two years. 

   — Dan Skiver will become director of operations, and responsible for the many functions related to IMS events. Pat Garlock will be promoted to assistant manager, facilities and events.

   — Alex Damron will be promoted to senior director, communications, for IMS and Hulman & Company, and corporate communications will be added to his responsibilities.  

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