Presidential Lecture Series: Mel Rains

Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Indiana Pacers and the Indiana Fever and operates Gainbridge Fieldhouse, will be the Presidential Lecture Series guest at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, in Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. Tickets for the event, which is free and open to the public, are available.

Raines is in her 11th year with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, currently serving as CEO and overseeing all business operations for the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever of the WNBA, the Noblesville Boom of the G League as well as Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Raines has more than 30 years of operations, legislative, political, corporate and public affairs experience. Prior to joining the Pacers, she was chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks of Indiana, overseeing three offices as well as all legislative, constituent services and communications staff.

From 2009-12, she was a principal architect of Indianapolis’ acclaimed 2012 Super Bowl, serving as vice president of government relations and event operations for the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee, overseeing 14 committees.