Hulman Motorsports, the parent company of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Verizon IndyCar Series, has named veteran Indianapolis law enforcement official Michael G. Bates as its new Senior Director of Safety and Security.
Bates comes to Hulman Motorsports after spending nearly 30 years with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. His most recent role was Deputy Chief of Police in charge of Homeland Security.
Bates begins his newly-created position within the company on Jan. 14. He will oversee all safety and security operations for IMS and the events held there, including the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400, various concerts, etc.
He will also be involved with the IndyCar Series in defining policies, procedures and practices for public safety, security and emergency preparedness, according to an IMS media release.
An IndyCar spokesperson told MotorSportsTalk that this position is in addition to IndyCar’s current director of security, Ed Harris.
Working big events has been Bates’ specialty with IMPD, having played a key role in developing security and safety procedures for Super Bowl XLVI, several NCAA Final Fours, Big Ten Conference championships and NFL playoff games.
“Keeping everyone safe and ensuring a worry-free trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and all Verizon IndyCar Series venues will always be mission critical,” Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles said in a release.
“Mike has been an outstanding leader of safety and security efforts for every major event Indianapolis has thrown in recent years, including the Super Bowl.
“He knows what it takes to develop and execute a world-class public safety plan at high-profile venues and he is the right individual to take on this responsibility for us.”
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