Larry Fisher has been named executive director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented by Automobile Club of Southern California at the Fairplex in Pomona.
Fisher is a longtime automotive enthusiast, holding membership in the Society of Automotive Historians, and is a collector of vintage autocycles, motorcycles, and microcars. Most recently, Fisher was an interpretive, planning, and experience design consultant, providing expertise to cultural heritage institutions, parks, and attractions. He served as CEO and executive director of the Herreshoff Marine Museum/America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Providence, R.I. Fisher also was a consultant to the president on the creation of the Experience Design Department for The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mich.
In his new position, Fisher will be responsible for administrative operations and fundraising efforts for the museum, which is on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Fairplex complex, also home to historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. He will also be responsible for the overall management of the museum’s two biggest fundraising events: the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky., and the California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California at Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield.
“Mr. Fisher brings with him a range of skills, experience, and achievements that will be integral to success in his new role. We're confident he can effectively lead the strategic development of this important facility and build on its position as a leading visitor attraction," said Thomas V. McKernan, chairman of the museum board.
Fisher has more than 20 years of experience working in the museum and exhibition field in senior-level positions as well as consultation. His experience and personal enthusiasm in the automotive world makes him a perfect fit to lead and build on the vision set forth by NHRA founder Wally Parks to celebrate the impact that motorsports has on American culture.
“I am thrilled and honored to bring my experience in motorsports, museums, and education to a dynamic organization such as the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum,” said Fisher. “This is a terrific opportunity to expand on Wally Parks’ vision of an exciting museum that can influence and interpret the hot rod tradition while providing cutting-edge science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics programming for the innovators and record breakers of tomorrow.”
Housed in a 28,500-square-foot building, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum’s mission is to celebrate the impact of motorsports on the American culture. The museum collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets the vehicles, stories, and artifacts that represent America’s affection for, and the influence of, automotive speed and style in all its forms. The museum is the place to view and learn about hot rods, customs, race cars, and speed records and the West Coast’s role as the historic center for the past and present development of hot rodding. For more information, log on to http://museum.nhra.com.