International. Speedway Motors, a manufacturer, retailer and distributor of high-quality automotive parts and racing products, announced three recent promotions within the company.
"As we continue to grow, we know our success comes from our high-caliber employees. They are the reason our customers keep coming back year after year, project after project," said Chris Chance, Vice President of Speedway Motors, announcing the promotion of three women within the company.
Betsy Grindlay was promoted to Vice President of People, Purchasing and Marketing at Speedway Motors. Grindlay holds a bachelor's degree in finance and marketing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her experience includes a position at First National Bank of Omaha as a management trainee and then worked for FNBO Direct as an online marketing consultant.
In his time at Speedway Motors, Grindlay has progressed progressively through the company from Ecommerce/Web Content Manager to Brand Marketing Manager and Director of Marketing & People Operations.
"Under her leadership, Betsy has successfully led a rebranding effort and culture change for the company," Chance said. "We are delighted that he will continue to grow in his area of responsibility, taking over our Purchasing team in the future."
Melissa Ward was promoted to chief marketing officer. Ward holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, and has held leadership and branding positions in the marketing industry for 17 years.
Prior to joining the Speedway Motors team in 2018 as creative director, Ward led the design team at Firespring, a Lincoln-area marketing agency with notable clients across the country, and held marketing positions for several Nebraska companies, including American Enterprise, DTN, and Nebraska Book Company, Inc.
As Chief Marketing Officer, Ward will oversee all of Speedway Motors' marketing efforts, from research and planning to execution and analysis.
"Melissa has a keen marketing instinct and passion for our customers," said Chance. "We have already benefited from her strategic development of the Speedway Motors brand and know she will continue to be an ardent advocate for our customers' experience while providing them with exciting new programs in 2023."
Finally, Erin Bond has been promoted to Director of People Operations. Bond earned a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University in Nebraska. Prior to joining the Speedway Motors team in 2020, she worked for the State of Nebraska for seven years taking on various roles and advancing through its Human Resources department.
"Erin has all the credentials a good HR leader needs. SHRM-CP certified, she is part of LHRMA (Lincoln Human Resource Management Association)," Chance said.
"But she adds the soft skills that make our employees admire her so much. Not to mention, he's great at representing us in the community with his work on the board for the state of Nebraska and at UNL on his HRM and Strategic Leadership board."
