Randy Bernard
Chair
Chair
Randy Bernard is co-manager of Garth Brooks. As the former CEO of two major entertainment brands, the Professional Bull Riders and INDYCAR, Bernard brings a significant amount of experience in building brands that engage and entertain fans of all ages.
Bernard was the Chief Executive Officer from December 2012 to July 2014 of Rural Media Group, the world’s leading provider of multimedia content dedicated to the rural and western lifestyle. During this time, Bernard also became the Chief Executive Officer of Rural Media Group Events, LLC.
Bernard was able to take his past experience and create the ultimate one-day rodeo, the AMERICAN. First debuted in 2014, the AMERICAN is the world’s richest one-day rodeo. This event is redefining rodeo, offering competitors a chance to win their share of $2,000,000. The event showcases the top 10 contestants in the world after the PBR World Finals and WNFR. In addition, any other athlete who wishes to compete against the world’s best will be eligible for part of the payout. According to fan feedback, it’s the most prestigious rodeo. The AMERICAN has become the rodeo you must watch.
Previously, as CEO for INDYCAR, Bernard guided the strategic transformation of INDYCAR. During his tenure Bernard was instrumental in introducing the new DW12 car – a move critics heralded as bringing the best open wheel racing in over two and a half decades – changing the name from IRL to INDYCAR, creating a successful ladder series, implementing double file starts and the first to develop double header races in a weekend.
Bernard developed his leadership skills while serving as the CEO of the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. Bernard was instrumental in making PBR a worldwide sport, taking it from eight events in 1994 to over 220 in five countries being broadcast in over 100 countries around the world by 2006.
In April 2007, Bernard successfully secured a merger between Professional Bull Riders, Inc. and Spire Capital Partners, a New York-based private equity firm at $100 million. The merger allowed the founding members and other bull riding shareholders to capitalize on their vision, dedication and commitment, while maintaining a significant equity stake in the organization. In his professional life, Bernard has sold near $1 billion in sponsorships.
Bernard currently serves on the board for The Teammates for Kids Foundation, started by Garth Brooks and Troy Aikman, and the Academy of Country Music board. He has two children (Priscilla and Alexandria). Bernard is based out of Nashville, Tennessee and in September 2014, he was inducted into the National Cowboy & Heritage Museum's Rodeo Hall of Fame.