PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Ricky Rickords, the 2016 AMA Sportsman of the Year, has joined the American Motorcyclist Association as its new Motocross Manager, and Mike Pelletier has been promoted to AMA Supercross Manager.”Mike and Ricky are enthusiastic motorcyclists with experience on the track and in roles that promote the sport of motorcycle racing,” said AMA Director of Racing Kevin Crowther. “Their knowledge, skills, passion and dedication will enhance the racing experience for competitors, promoters and organizers.”Pelletier, 30, was the AMA Motocross Assistant Manager for two years. As Supercross Manager, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the AMA Supercross Championship and FIM Motocross Grand Prix events that take place in the United States.”As the Supercross Manager, I hope to not only improve and grow the AMA Supercross series, but the sport in its entirety,” Pelletier said.Pelletier’s motorcycling experience dates to his childhood.

“I grew up racing motocross in New England,” Pelletier said. “I earned my pro license in 2013 and have competed in both the United States and Canada. I’ve been involved in the sport either racing or working events for the past 20 years.”

Pelletier holds a bachelor’s in business from Plymouth State University in Plymouth, N.H.

Rickords, 29, is the former Supercross Safety Manager for AMA Supercross and served for seven years as the National Safety Ambassador for the Brett Downey Safety Foundation, where he improved flagger training and other safety aspects of motorcycle racing.

In his new AMA role, Rickords oversees AMA Motocross sanctioning and featured event designations and works closely with promoters and organizers.

“It’s great to be noticed for the work that I have been doing in the area of rider safety, and it’s an honor to be able to join the staff of the AMA,” Rickords said.

Rickords grew up in Southern California and started riding dirt bikes with his family when he was 10.

“I’ve always been really into motorcycles,” he said. “I’ve had numerous dirt bikes as kid. Stepped briefly away from riding to join the Army. When I came out of the service, I bought a street bike and recently purchased a dirt bike to get back into the sport.”

Other changes in the AMA Racing Department include the hiring of a Motocross Operations Coordinator and a Motocross Administrative Coordinator.

Jack Babet is the new AMA Motocross Operations Coordinator. His duties include working with promoters, organizers on rules and appeals, building the AMA Pro-Am schedule and interpreting class structures.

From North Ridgeville, Ohio, Babet, 21, has been racing motorcycles since he was 3. He and his father traveled the country, competing in vintage races.

Babet, who worked as an AMA intern in 2016 and 2017 before being hired full-time, is completing a degree in business administration at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He has been an AMA member for 15 years.

Alexandria Reasoner, 25, is the Motocross Administrative Coordinator. She is responsible for ensuring that all sanctioning paperwork is filed in a timely manner and is in proper order. She also supplies event organizers with supplies and fields questions from promoters and racers.

Reasoner is an avid dirt bike rider.

She holds a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and is a certified paramedic.

“I’m excited about the future of our Motocross department and getting to work with this team we have in place,” Crowther said. “The attitude, professionalism and experience that Ricky, Alexandria and Jack bring to our Racing Department, along with the rest of our great staff, will allow us to continue to grow and enhance our commitment to motorcycle racing.”