After more than 30 years at the helm of the National Auto Sport Association, a racing organization he co-founded with Ali Arsham in 1991, Executive Director Jerry Kunzman has announced he will retire from NASA National in 2023.
Kunzman will continue to serve as Regional Director of the Northern California NASA Region, but he will be naming current COO Jeremy Croiset as the new CEO of NASA.
“I am turning 60 this year, and my wife is about to retire. We’d love to use this time to do some traveling together. Also, my other businesses will really benefit from more of my attention. We have a very strong team at NASA National, and I feel it is an opportune time to pass the torch. Jeremy is well positioned after almost two decades with the company to assume my role within the company, and I feel he’s more than qualified to push NASA to even greater heights. So I am announcing my retirement, which will come later this year,” Kunzman said. “I will still be the NASA NorCal Regional Director, so I will still be at the track with my NASA family.”
Croiset will assume leadership of the organization, and executive appeals that used to run through Kunzman will be accomplished using the executive committee method as outlined in the NASA Club Codes and Regulations.
“It’s been over 30 years at the helm, and I have enjoyed a long and gratifying career with the company I cofounded with Ali Arsham back in the early 1990s,” Kunzman said. “Jeremy is quite capable, and with my support through the transition, things will continue to run as smoothly and as seamlessly as possible.”
Croiset began his career with NASA managing sponsorship and marketing in 2005 growing quickly into the position. He was promoted to director of business development in 2010 where he continued to climb the ranks being named vice president in 2018. Finally in April 2020, he assumed the role of chief operating officer. In addition to his current duties managing daily operations and strategic planning, Croiset will now also fulfill executive functions.
“NASA gave me the opportunity to join the company roughly 18 years ago, and it’s been an amazing journey. I love working every day to bring new programs and ideas to fruition that NASA members can take advantage of, on and off the track,” Croiset said. “I’ve had a wonderful time working with Jerry all these years and I’m hugely appreciative of all he’s done. I’m looking forward to assuming this role because it will provide me an even broader opportunity to continue that mission while allowing me to have a larger effect on growing our motorsports community. NASA is a fantastic company, and the product we offer is second to none. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I look forward to growing the organization even more.”
Say what you want but nobody will ever replace Jerry Kunzman, his dream, his dedication, passion, or vision. He’s made it possible for so many to live out their passions and dreams that otherwise would have passed them by. In the process, thousands are safer and more knowledgeable drivers and instructors which carries over onto public roadways. Jerry has proven himself to be one of my closest friends, a brother in life, who has more times than I can count, gone out of his way to make my life better. One of the finest gentleman on the planet.
Jerry will be missed.
Jerry is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I’ve ever met. Time and time again, when faced with a difficult situation he has proven himself worthy of the highest accolades and respect by always taking the high road, caring about the people around him and fearlessly doing the right thing. I feel I am very lucky to have met him and to be able to count him on the short list of the best people I know.