Leadership

The National Corvette Museum is steered by a team of visionary leaders and committed board members.

Our journey is fueled by a shared ambition to preserve the iconic Corvette legacy while inspiring and educating enthusiasts of all ages from around the globe.

National Corvette Museum Leaders

Bryce Burklow

Director of Events & Building Services

Ryan Eichler

Director of Marketing & Communications

Brian Hunley

Director of Accounting

Stephanie Morrill

Director of Sales & Guest Operations

Mandi Thomas

Director of HR & Business Operations

2024-2026 Board Officers

Kaye Wagner

Board Chair

Kai Spande

Kai Spande

Immediate Past Chair

Kai is a seasoned General Motors executive with a distinguished career that includes manufacturing, management, and leadership roles. After 32 years with General Motors, including serving as the Plant Director for the General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant for the past eight years, he announced his retirement in 2023. Kai has served on the Museum’s Board of Directors for over eight years, most recently as the Chairperson from 2021 to 2023. Kai has vast experience in both manufacturing and manufacturing engineering within General Motors. During his tenure with General Motors, Kai held leadership positions in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and New York, along with multiple international assignments including a U.S. Department of Commerce Fellowship in Japan, along with a director role in the GM/OPEL European Powertrain Engineering staff. Kai has been responsible for many large-scale projects in his career including the complicated production changes needed to support the introduction of the 2020 Stingray and subsequent models. Kai will continue to serve on the Board of Directors until his term limit is met in 2027.

Michael LaRocca

Chair-Elect

Michael is a talented business owner and serves as the CEO of Ready Computing, Ready Motorsports, and Ready Cares. At Ready Computing, Michael leads an enthusiastic group of technologists focused on creating and implementing interoperable software products that optimize business operations in various sectors including health care, social care, financial services, supply chain, and logistics. With a true passion for automobiles, in 2015 Michael started Ready Motorsports which is dedicated to vehicle finance, brokerage, and rental, as well as marketing, sponsorship, and event planning within the automotive and motorsports sectors. In 2022, Michael founded Ready Cares, a not-for-profit foundation focused on the elevation of underserved communities in the United States. Since January 1, 2020, Michael has proudly served on the Board of Directors of the National Corvette Museum, and currently serves as the Chair Elect as well as Chair of the Business Operations committee. In addition to serving on the Museum board, Michael also serves on NCM Motorsports Park’s Strategic Planning committee.

Neil Watanabe

Treasurer

Neil currently serves as CFO for Loop Media Inc. NYSE, a premier content streaming company providing video and music media content to businesses. Before Loop Media, Inc., Neil served as Chief Financial Officer for Car Parts.com from March 2014 through April 2019. He has also served as Chief Operating Officer for National Stores, a discount department store chain that operated more than 300 locations from June 2014 to March of 2015. From June 2006 to June 2014, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Anna’s Linens, a national textiles and home goods store that operated more than 300 locations. As a veteran financial and operational executive, Neil has also served as the Chief Financial Officer for PetSmart, Shoe Pavilion, Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas, and Mac Frugal Bargain Closeouts. Neil serves as Chairman of the Board for Reality Ventures International, a consumer product innovator since April of 2021. Neil has been serving on the NCM Board of Directors since 2020 on the Executive Committee, and Chairman for both the Finance and Compensation Committee.
Dale Ledbetter

Dale Ledbetter

Secretary

Dale Ledbetter is an American automotive executive, entrepreneur and consultant. Dale is best known for his involvement with classic and collectible car acquisition, vehicle restoration and business management for Hendrick Motorsports Performance Group. A proud member of a career U.S. Navy family, Dale learned at an early age to adapt to different situations quickly. His over 30-years of automotive experience began as a teenager, where prior to receiving his drivers’ license, he undertook the task of restoring his first car, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS. His exceptional technical skills helped launch his career as an accomplished automotive specialist and eventually evolved into becoming a world-class restoration authentication expert and respected classic car consultant. In addition to serving as an automotive technician and repair shop owner, Dale has also served as a Honda ASE and Master Technician, and classic and collectible car dealership owner. Dale was hired by automotive group owner Rick Hendrick and serves as the General Manager of Hendrick Performance, overseeing The Hendrick Heritage Center Collection as well as the supervision of classic car renovation builds and special late-model OEM projects. Dale has also served as the Hendrick Performance Driving School Director, and Curator of The Hendrick Heritage Center. Dale is an NCRS member were he has served as a judge for over 20 years. He is the recipient of multiple awards through NCRS.

2024-2026 At Large Board Members

Chuck Fast

Regional Owner at Keller Williams Michigan & Northern Ohio Region

Dan Costellow

Superintendent, Logan County Board of Education

Deb Murphy

President of the National Council of Corvette Clubs

Glenn Johnson

Mayor of Port Neches, TX

Harlan Charles

Chevrolet Corvette & Camaro Product Marketing Manager at GM-Chevrolet

Mark Stielow

Director of Motorsports Competition Engineering at GM

Mike Buchanon

Warren County Judge Executive Emeritus

Norm Rose

President of the Western States Corvette Council

Shannon Lamarche

Founder/Owner of Premiere Luxury Travel

Shannon Skokos

Co-Founder at The Ted and Shannon Skokos Foundation

Tim McMichael

President, Landscape Workshop, Inc

Ray Theriault

Director of General Motors Bowling Green Assembly

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