Pacers Sports & Entertainment Names New VP

Pacers Sports & Entertainment has selected Brent Rockwood as senior vice president for corporate community and public relations. Rockwood, who succeeds the retiring Bill Benner, will begin his new role April 2.

A native of Fishers and former member of the Butler University basketball team, Rockwood was chosen for the corporate position after a national search. He currently serves director of corporate communications and community partnerships for QEP Resources (NYSE: QEP), an independent crude oil and natural gas exploration and production company based in Denver.

"We look forward to working with Brent as he returns to Indianapolis and brings a perspective to our company and city that will be very positive and forward-seeking," said Rick Fuson, chief operating officer of PS&E. "His talent and expertise will enhance our effort as we look to serve future generations of this community and our loyal basketball and entertainment fans."

Benner is retiring from the corporate position he has held since 2013, but will remain part of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. The company says Benner will remain as director of the Pacers Foundation. 

"My time with Pacers Sports & Entertainment has been the ultimate culmination of my professional career," said Benner. "But I look forward to semi-retirement and spending more time traveling with my wife and enjoying our family. I am forever indebted and grateful to Herb Simon, Jim Morris and Rick Fuson to have worked with and for them as well the opportunity to continue with the Pacers Foundation in serving our Indiana youth."

Benner is a longtime sports contributor to Inside INdiana Business. During his 50-year career, Benner spent more than three decades as a sportswriter and columnist for the Indianapolis Star and has also served in various positions with the Indiana Sports Corp., Visit Indy and the Horizon League.