The Hamilton County Leadership Academy (HCLA) has a new executive director and his name is John Robbins.

“I am honored by this opportunity and humbled to lead such an incredible organization,” Robbins said in an HCLA news release. “HCLA has demonstrated its importance to Hamilton County over its 26 year existence. I look forward to balancing the rich history and traditions of the program with a desire to drive innovation and grow HCLA in the future.”

He has a background as a businessman himself, an executive with startup companies and has been active in auto racing.  He owned and operated a touring racing series. His deep family roots in the industry led to the creation of the National Short Track Alliance (NSTA) in 2009.

Late last year, his company purchased the fledgling ICAR Top Speed Modified Tour and quickly transformed it into a rising star in grassroots racing. In the first season, the Tour hosted more than 100 teams, doubled revenue, increased sponsorship by 100 percent and sanctioned a race at NASCAR’s historic Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee.

HCLA was founded in 1991, providing a 10-month community leadership development program for adults who live or work in Hamilton County.