Parks Museum names Valadez to key position

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Adds New Key Position to the Organization
Appoints Monique Valadez as Museum's First Education and Public Relations Manager

POMONA, Calif. (Aug. 5, 2008) -- The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Monique Valadez, as Manager, Education and Public Relations.

Valadez joins the organization from the City of Pomona, where she worked as the Public Information Officer for five years. As the city's only Public Information Officer, she performed a wide range of communications, marketing, event management and public relations activities.

"Monique's professional experiences position her as the ideal candidate for the Education and Public Relations Manager position," said Tony Thacker, executive director for the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. "She has strong ties to the community and key relationships with the local schools, media outlets and community leaders. We feel that her expertise makes her a terrific fit for the Parks Museum."

In her new post, Valadez will develop education and public relations programs designed to increase awareness of the Parks Museum and careers in the automotive/motorsports industry.

"This is a new and exciting opportunity to produce meaningful and lasting activities, that work to increase public outreach and access to the museum and Wally Parks' vision," said Valadez. "The NHRA staff and enthusiasts are so passionate about drag racing and motorsports, and that is one of the reasons why I am so excited about joining the team at the Parks Museum."

Valadez holds a bachelor's degree in Communications/Journalism from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. During her undergraduate studies, she completed internships in public relations and marketing at Avon Products, Inc., the City of Los Angeles and the City of Claremont. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and the California Association of Public Information Officers.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary and named for the founder of the NHRA, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST. Current NHRA members are admitted free and Auto Club members enjoy a $2 discount. Admission for non-members is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 60 and older, $5 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. The Museum is also available for special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call (909) 622-2133 or visit museum.nhra.com.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 24 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000 members and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, and the NHRA Street Legal Drags presented by AAA. The NHRA also offers the O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 8 to 17.

-credit: nhra