Pacers hire former Super Bowl host committee executive

Pacers Sports & Entertainment recently hired Mel Raines, who served as an executive with Indianapolis’ 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee, as its senior vice president of facilities operations. She will begin her new job March 2.

Raines, a 45-year-old South Bend native, most recently served as chief of staff to Indiana Congresswoman Susan Brooks, a Republican representing the 5th District.

Mel Raines

“Mel Raines is a seasoned leader in government management, operations and public affairs and strategic grassroots outreach both in Washington, D.C. and Indiana,” Brooks said of Raines.

Brooks also praised Raines for “her diverse leadership experiences in Washington and Indiana, along with her skills in managing high-performing teams.”

Raines has served leadership roles in five Republican national conventions, most recently as a senior advisor to the RNC CEO in Tampa in 2012.

Raines also served on the White House staff of Vice President Dick Cheney, the Washington staff of Indiana Senator Dan Coats and in government relations and strategic communications roles at Navigators Global, Altria Corporate Services, and Phillip Morris Management Group.

In her new role with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Raines will oversee all operational facilities activity in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the home of the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever.

“Mel Raines brings unmatched experience and organizational skills to our team,” said Rick Fuson, PS&E president and chief operating officer. “Her tireless work and planning, mostly behind the scenes, was essential to the success of our Super Bowl.”

Fuson formerly oversaw facilities operations at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

For the city’s Super Bowl Host Committee, Raines oversaw 14 committees, including transportation and parking, weather preparedness, clean zone implementation, government services, state and city services, public safety, aviation services, ADA accessibility and risk management. Fuson, who was a key volunteer for the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee, worked closely with Raines in that capacity.

In November of 2012, Raines joined the staff of newly elected Rep. Brooks.

The Indiana University graduate says she is now living her dream.

“I could not be more excited to join the outstanding business team at PS&E,” Raines said. “As a Hoosier, it is a dream come true to get to work every day in the best NBA arena in the city I will get to call home again.”