Mel Raines

President & COO, Pacers Sports & Entertainment

Mel Raines is in her ninth season with Pacers Sports & Entertainment as President and COO as well as President of the 2024 NBA All-Star Local Organizing Committee. She has more than 30 years of event operations, legislative, political, corporate, and public affairs experience. Prior to joining PS&E, she was chief of staff to Indiana Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks overseeing three offices as well as all legislative, constituent services and communications staff.

From 2009 to 2012, Raines was one of the principal architects of Indianapolis’ highly acclaimed 2012 Super Bowl. Earlier in her career, Raines served as Assistant to Vice President Dick Cheney for Political Affairs. She also held several leadership positions at Altria Corporate Services, at the Republican National Committee, and began her career on Capitol Hill with U.S. Sen. Daniel Coats of Indiana.

Raines, a South Bend, Ind. native and graduate of Indiana University – Bloomington, is also on the board of directors of the Pacers Foundation, the Indianapolis Zoo, Visit Indy, the Economic Club of Indiana, and the Indy Championship Fund.