David Pace
New Orleans,LA
Summary
Dynamic executive with a proven track record, driving operational excellence and strategic growth. Expert in event production and vendor negotiation, successfully managing multimillion-dollar budgets and delivering high-profile events. Renowned for leadership in building strong teams and enhancing brand visibility, resulting in significant revenue increases and client satisfaction.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
NOLA MOTORSPORTS PARK
New Orleans, LA
01.2020 - Current
- Appointed to navigate and lead the strategic turnaround and long-term growth of a 652 acre motorsports and events campus in a post-covid event industry. Held full executive oversight of operations, finance, capital improvements, staffing, and strategic partnerships.
- Throttle & Swing | Est. 2025 Installed a state of the art, modern miniature golf course that replicates a PGA style course. Throttle & Swing was a revenue-generating concept created out of the need for additional family-friendly activities in the greater New Orleans area.
- Oversaw $3 million in capital improvements, including track resurfacing, guest amenities, and complete renovation and implementation of new FEC Throttle & Swing.
- Transformed organizational culture by building a lean and accountable management team, upgrading safety and compliance protocols, and instituting performance KPIs that improved operational uptime and staff productivity.
- Repositioned the brand and venue to appeal to the local market and drive a higher scale clientele.
- Built a stable and strong customer base by restructuring our current clients and replacing underperforming accounts, building a strong sales team and driving to find that high end client.
Vice President of Operations
CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
Austin, TX
01.2012 - 12.2019
- Handpicked by ownership to oversee the operations and strategic growth of a 1,500-acre global motorsports and entertainment complex, with end-to-end accountability for facility management, multimillion-dollar events, capital projects, vendor partnerships, and large-scale staffing. Directed a $30M operating budget and capital development initiatives across the property.
- Produced globally televised, high-profile events, including Formula 1 United States Grand Prix (280K+ in-person attendees, 100M+ broadcast viewers), MotoGP, and concerts by Taylor Swift and Justin Timberlake, ensuring flawless execution and operational excellence.
- Led and directed all business operations. Managed full facility operations, F&B, track safety and production, event contract negotiation, budgeting, event buildout and production, marketing and guest services to create an amazing guest experience with an unmatchable event facility.
- Directed full P&L ownership for all events and operations, negotiated and managed key vendor and partner contracts, and leveraged data-driven KPIs to increase profitability and streamline operational performance.
- Delivered major infrastructure expansion, overseeing design and construction of a state-of-the-art Go Kart track, a 12,600 sq. ft. storage facility, RV resort amenities (pool, laundry, restrooms), and amphitheater support towers to enhance guest experience and site versatility.
Motorsports Consultant (Independent Contractor)
MOTORSPORT EVENT CONSULTANT
01.2002 - 12.2010
- Brought on by high-profile race organizers to deliver end-to-end operational execution for major INDYCAR events, working closely with city officials, sanctioning bodies, and commercial partners. Oversaw site planning, logistics, compliance, and stakeholder communications, ensuring high-impact event delivery.
- Directed all operating budgets and vendor coordination for [Baltimore Grand Prix / Milwaukee Mile], managing capital and public infrastructure requirements in partnership with local governments.
- Designed and implemented event layout and operational flow, ensuring safety compliance, visibility, and optimized attendee movement across the urban circuit.
- Led city, state, and federal communications, including DOT, permitting agencies, and first responders, to secure necessary authorizations and execute on-time launch.
- Contributed to highest-attended INDYCAR race of [YEAR], with national broadcast recognition and record-setting ticket sales and sponsorship engagement.
Founder & Managing Director
DHR CONTRACTING, LLC
Maryland
01.2002 - 12.2010
- Founded and scaled a commercial and residential construction business delivering over $[X]M in annual project volume. Oversaw all aspects of business operations, from estimating and procurement to team management and client negotiations.
- Managed simultaneous projects across multiple states, delivering high-quality builds on time and within budget.
- Built and led multiple field crews, maintaining a strong reputation for safety, speed, and workmanship.
- Secured repeat commercial clients through quality execution, communication, and site accountability.
General Manager
GOODRIDGE USA
01.1999 - 12.2002
- Recruited to launch and grow U.S. operations for a global performance fluid transfer systems company serving motorsports, automotive, and industrial clients. Held full operational control, with oversight spanning business development, supply chain, quality, and staffing. Acted as U.S. liaison to global executive leadership.
- Opened and scaled a U.S. start-up facility, growing annual revenue from $300K to $4M in 4 years through strategic partnerships, lean operations, and aggressive market expansion.
- Led ISO 9001 certification across all U.S. locations, resulting in landing major accounts including Harley-Davidson, Polaris, and Toyota.
- Built cross-functional operations team, streamlining procurement, customer service, and production workflows to support national demand.
Skills
- Leadership & Development
- Financial Acumen
- Business Development
- Problem Solving
- Vendor & Partner Negotiation
- Brand Management
- Event Production & Logistics
- Facility & Venue Management
- Capital planning & ROI Analysis
- High Pressure Performance
Top Accomplishments
- Throttle & Swing | Est. 2025: Conceptualized, financed, and launched Throttle & Swing (2025), a multi-attraction family entertainment center designed to stabilize non-race-day cash flow, increase per-cap revenue, and extend customer lifetime value at NOLA Motorsports Park.
- Directed High-Impact Global Events with Full P&L Ownership: Led end-to-end execution of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas - a globally televised event with 280,000+ attendees and 100M+ viewers - while managing a $30M annual operating budget and generating record-setting profitability across a 1,500-acre venue.
- Spearheaded Multi-Million-Dollar Capital Projects to Expand Revenue Channels: Led multimillion-dollar capital projects-including karting facilities, RV resort amenities, storage infrastructure, and amphitheater assets-structured to expand hosting capacity, attract new sanctioning partners, and unlock incremental sponsorship and media value.
- Built and Scaled High-Performance Teams in Fast-Paced, Pressure-Driven Environments: Led and developed a full-time team of 100+ employees and 5,000+ event staff across multiple venues and events, fostering a culture of accountability, resilience, and resourcefulness under intense timelines and operational complexity.
Websites
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
NOLA MOTORSPORTS PARK
01.2020 - Current
Vice President of Operations
CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
01.2012 - 12.2019
Motorsports Consultant (Independent Contractor)
MOTORSPORT EVENT CONSULTANT
01.2002 - 12.2010
Founder & Managing Director
DHR CONTRACTING, LLC
01.2002 - 12.2010
General Manager
GOODRIDGE USA
01.1999 - 12.2002