Mel Raines

Board Secretary

President & COO, Pacers Sports & Entertainment

Mel Raines is in her eleventh season with Pacers Sports & Entertainment currently serving as President & CEO of the company overseeing all business operations for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA, Indiana Fever of the WNBA, Indiana 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 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 as vice president of government relations and event operations.  Raines has worked in various roles on six Republican National Conventions including serving as the COO for the 2008 Republican National Convention and as a senior advisor for the 2012 and 2016 conventions.

Earlier in her career, Raines served as Assistant to Vice President Dick Cheney for Political Affairs, directing all the Vice President’s political and domestic outreach activities. 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 on the board of directors of the Pacers Foundation, Indy Chamber, Visit Indy, Indianapolis Economic Development, Inc., Ascension St. Vincent Foundation, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Citizens Energy Group, First Internet Bank, the Indianapolis Zoo, the Economic Club of Indiana and Telamon Corporation. She currently resides in Indianapolis.