Randy Bernard (born January 31, 1967) is the formerCEO of theProfessional Bull Riders,IndyCar, andRural Media Group. He is also the founder ofRFD-TV's The American. He is currently the co-manager ofGarth Brooks and chairman of theAcademy of Country Music.
Bernard previously served as the CEO of theProfessional Bull Riders, serving from 1995 to 2010.[1] He sold it in 2007, stayed for three more years, then opted out of his contract's fourth year of his contract to run IndyCar.[2]
Bernard assumed the role as IndyCar's CEO in March2010, replacing series founderTony George. From the start, he said he would increase the sport's visibility among general audiences, expand the schedule to important markets for advertisers and create a 50/50 split betweenoval androad racing.[3]
Bernard planned a return for IndyCar toLas Vegas Motor Speedway for the2011 season, only to have the race end intragedy. He was able to secure a return toFontana in2012 andPocono for2013. Under his tenure, the series retired the name"Indy Racing League" and starting in 2011, it was rebranded"IndyCar". He also oversaw theICONIC Project, which selected a new engine and chassis package for the 2012 season. It led to the return ofChevrolet and manufacturer competition to IndyCar.[4]
On October 28, 2012, theIndianapolis Motor Speedway board of directors announced that Bernard would step down.[5]
Bernard became CEO ofRural Media Group in December 2012. While there, his biggest accomplishment was creatingRFD-TV's The American, the world's richest one-dayrodeo. Bernard left Rural Media Group in July 2014. He then became the manager toGarth Brooks.[6]
Bernard sat on the Sponsors Board of theNational FFA Organization in 2014.[7]
In 2010, Bernard was inducted into thePBR Ring of Honor.[8] In 2014, he was inducted into theNational Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum'sRodeo Hall of Fame.[9]
Category:Rodeo personnel