NASCAR Hall of Fame fills two of its vital positions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) is excited to welcome Kevin Schlesier as exhibits manager, and Michele Leopold as registrar and collections manager for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

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Kevin Schlesier joins the NASCAR Hall of Fame as exhibits manager where he will lead the exhibit department working with the historian, registrar and collections manager, exhibition designers, artifact experts, and others to ensure the successful implementation of informative, exciting, and engaging exhibits and interactive experiences. Schlesier will work to develop policies and procedures to guide the creation and long term planning of exhibits and will collaborate with the historian on creating sustainable collections plans to make certain that items will be available for future generations to see and enjoy. A lifelong car enthusiast, Schlesier assisted in the development of the Route 66 portion of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History exhibition America on the Move.

"I am honored to join such a strong organization as the CRVA," Schlesier said, "and I look forward to combining my passion for automotive history and culture with my experience in exhibition development in this exciting new role."

Kevin Schlesier

Michele Leopold

As registrar and collections manager, Michele Leopold will be responsible for managing all registration operations for the NASCAR Hall of Fame collection. Leopold will work alongside the NASCAR Hall of Fame historian, exhibits manager and exhibit design team, and will ensure all of the 1,500-plus artifacts are properly cataloged, tracked, stored and shipped, as well as the preparation and conservation of these artifacts. With more than 20 years of hands-on experience serving as the founding chief registrar for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and registration and collections roles at the Atlanta History Museum and the Ringling Museum of Art in Florida, Leopold will be a valuable asset to the team at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

"The NASCAR Hall of Fame is on track to be one of the most engaging and highly interactive Halls of Fame in the country, or even the world for that matter," Hall of Fame executive director Winston Kelley said. "Informative exhibits and interactive elements will be continuously refreshed and updated. These fascinating elements will attract guests, encourage repeat visits and ensure the Hall of Fame is sustainable and successful for decades to come.

"Having a strong exhibits team is critical to achieve these objectives. We are very fortunate to have been able to attract such experienced and enthusiastic people as Michele and Kevin to be a part of that team, along with historian Buz McKim, to help us achieve the full potential of the NASCAR Hall of Fame."

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