Brad Brickel, Jr. – Executive Director
With a background in sales, design, advertising, marketing and management and a keen interest in communication theory, throw in a wealth of motorsports marketing experience from years in the racing collectibles industry together to unite everyone in the Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere.
“I discovered The RAACE Foundation as a fan shortly after moving home from Boston to work with my Uncle's business. When, during an Awareness Event I was handed some materials about child sexual abuse and what The RAACE Foundation was doing to stop it. I’ll never forget that warm summer evening at Lincoln Speedway as I watched this wild purple and yellow sprint car of Stevie Smith's with the same logo and colors. After that night at the track, I visited the website at www.raace.org and learned the realities of child sexual abuse. I immediately felt compelled to get involved, especially since I made my living in the racing world. Kids should be free from the abuse that exists today, (free) to just be kids. Here was an opportunity to help make that happen so I knew I had to volunteer and do my part to make a difference.”
As Executive Director, Brad manages all of the RAACE Foundation relationships, charitable giving, sponsorship, sales & marketing, media, strategic planning, for The RAACE Foundation as well as the TeamRAACE Membership and “Time to Talk” Programs.
Jason Skinner – Creative Director
Jason Skinner has a long history of design with his first piece being published at the age of 14. As a graduate of Drury University in Design Arts and Advertising, he excelled in his classes and developed a strong sense of balance and art technique. His love for motorsports has made him a valuable asset to the foundation.
Jason became familiar with The RAACE Foundation after graduating college and becoming an art director for a design agency. After leaving the agency, Jason felt the need to join The RAACE Foundation. "I believe that no one should have to face or endure this pain. Too many times victims are not allowed to be heard or made to feel it was their fault. By raising awareness and giving them a voice, we can beat this epidemic!"
As Creative Director, Jason develops cause marketing material and the overall image of The RAACE Foundation. Another area is brand management and print standards with all vendors, allowing consistency with all products and merchandise.
Scott Palermo - Outreach Director
Scott has been a professional sales leader in the wireless communications industry for over twenty years and had spent seventeen years working with hundreds of businesses throughout the York, Lancaster and Harrisburg areas.
Scott earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University where he majored in Business Administration with a minor in French.
In addition to his professional career, Scott is a third degree black belt in American Kenpo Karate and has been an instructor at Ronemus Studios in York for ten years. He teaches pre-school all the way through adults.
Scotts work with The RAACE Foundation is centered on his love of public speaking. As Outreach Director, Scott utilizes community and corporate partners to help achieve The RAACE Foundations mission and vision. Scott oversees each aspect of their involvement in an effort to increase the visibility and the number of active participants, as it pertains to The Time to Talk Guide To Protecting Your Child From Sexual Abuse and other outreach and educational programs.
Scott first found The RAACE Foundation while conducting business with Founder Kenneth Smith, then participating in the RALLY for RAACE Motorcycle Ride and later volunteering as part of the “Time to Talk” Awareness Station. Scott has taught child safety seminars for the general public through the Kenpo Studio and for YHSA. He is the co-chairman of the annual St. Jude Children’s Hospital fundraiser through the martial arts program.
Scott and his wife Angela are home school parents and are active members of YHSA. They have two sons, Steven and Brian.
Victoria Richards – Corporate Relations Manager
“I’ve learned that when people trust you to guide them and teach them about something that can make or break their financial future, you don’t take that lightly,” says Vickie Richards, veteran saleswoman and owner of the business development firm, VR Ventures.
Richards’ history of high-responsibility jobs gives weight to her words – U.S. Army Air Traffic Controller and trainer, FedEx owner /operator, safe house volunteer, American Indoor Football Association manager, and franchise saleswoman/business developer.
In addition to running her own business she has a position as the RAACE Foundation’s Corporate Relations Manager. Richards is working on national awareness campaigns to educate families on sexual child abuse. A cause she is extremely passionate about.
Andrea Scheck – Development Manager
Andrea Scheck is a graduate from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She is a mother of two wonderful boys. Andrea has a passion for riding her 2006 pearl yellow Harley Davidson Fatboy and currently resides in Reading, PA.
Andrea found The RAACE Foundation through contacts with her fellow high school classmate Brad Brickel, Executive Director of The RAACE Foundation. She noticed a photo of her local Harley-Davidson mechanic Kate O’Shea on one of Brad’s Facebook photo albums. Kate was part of the Harley-Davidson 105th Anniversary Reunion Bash Women’s Day Celebration where her organization The Chopper Chick Crew did a live bike build to benefit The RAACE Foundation. The 8 hour build was held on August 8, 2008 by six women builders in Milwaukee, WI as part of Harley’s Women’s Day activities.
“After seeing all those women bike builders and realizing that I knew one of them, I immediately inquired about how I could get involved and help The RAACE Foundation fulfill its mission and vision just as Kate did.”
As Development Manager Andrea performs sales, marketing, and development tasks as they relate to the position. Her responsibilities include researching, cultivating and securing sponsorship & donations at all levels including the Time to Talk Display/Gaming Wheel, The Parents Guide to Child Sexual Abuse, Supporter Program, Web Site Advertising, Event Sponsorship, In-Kind Donations and Corporate/Major Gifts.
Ron Frick – Technical Director
“I became interested in The RAACE foundation several years ago at a meeting where Ken Smith talked about RAACE and stated facts on the odds on children being abused. For me - it was an eye opener. Having 5 young kids of my own, the odds were saying that one of my own children could be abused. I then started volunteering first just at small local events then occasionally as needed to help set up of The RAACE Foundation’s Awareness Station and “The Giant Wheel”. With my technical and managerial experience in the construction industry, I knew I could be an asset to the organization. So, I recently became dedicated to help The RAACE Foundation with their larger shows taking a position as Technical Director.”
As The RAACE Foundation’s Technical Director Ron is responsible for managing the logistics of The RAACE Foundation’s Awareness Station, overseeing transportation & delivery, maintenance, on site set-up/teardown, manpower, scheduling & budgets and construction at events from coast to coast. Ron also oversees the fleet needs of the organization as well as all facilities construction projects.
Brian K. Marchetti - Vehicle Donation Program Coordinator
"I discovered The RAACE Foundation at a sporting event promotion, where I had the opportunity to meet Ken Smith and his wife Pam.....I took a moment to read through their literature, and I knew I wanted to be a part of their organization," says Brian Marchetti, when asked how he found RAACE.
With a strong entrepreneurial sense, and vast experience in the automotive world, Brian stepped up and offered to organize and manage the Vehicle Donation Program, "Donate Your Ride for RAACE." The program offers donors an opportunity to donate their old or unused cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, trailers, etc., and Brian converts these donations to funds for The RAACE Foundation.
"When I saw the statistics, I was overwhelmed at how high the numbers really are....I had no idea." says Brian. "What I like the most about RAACE is their structure, in that they spend all of their efforts to raise awareness, and not the traditional charity direction of treating victims... in theory, if we raise awareness, prevent the problems, we can eradicate child sexual abuse." Although he admits it's a long road, it is certainly a goal that The RAACE Foundation feels can be accomplished.
Brian studied Business Management at the University of Baltimore, and has extensive experience in working with local and national charities on a variety of levels. He is the former VP of the Board of Directors of a local FCU, and he continues to educate himself, and others, through his devotion to RAACE and its commitment to the community.
