Joel Cohen is a legacy-minded entrepreneur, strategic owner, and executive leader with over 40 years of experience building high-impact ventures across motorsports, telecommunications, entertainment, and venue development. As COO and Equity Owner of Circuit of the Northwest and CEO of The Joel Cohen Group LLC, he leads large-scale projects from concept to completion—aligning public-private partnerships, investor strategy, and operational excellence to deliver enduring platforms.
Cohen’s entrepreneurial career began in telecommunications, where he co-founded Century Cellular and played a pivotal role in launching Brightpoint’s IPO (CELL: NASDAQ), helping shape one of the industry's early wholesale cellular distribution platforms. That foundation in fast-growth, investor-backed ventures informs his leadership across sectors.
In motorsports, Cohen has developed more than 30 racetrack and venue projects across NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA, ARCA, and USAC. He earned lasting recognition from the late NASCAR Hall of Fame promoter H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, who described him as “the best short track promoter I ever saw.” Wheeler’s passing in 2025 marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on in the promoters and visionaries he inspired. Cohen’s expertise spans facility development, capital stack modeling, naming rights monetization, hospitality segmentation, and high-performance venue operations.
At Circuit of the Northwest, Cohen leads investor-facing strategy—aligning capital stack modeling, naming rights monetization, and operational assumptions to deliver a defensible, high-growth platform. He directs strategic planning, investor relations, and partner alignment for a 232-acre master-planned destination anchored by a 2.34-mile road course designed by Hermann Tilke, with the intent to meet FIA and FIM standards. With construction targeted for 2026 and opening projected for 2028, CNW is positioned as a generational asset—built to endure, designed to inspire, and engineered for economic impact.
Every venture Cohen touches is built with longevity in mind—engineered for resilience, positioned to redefine its category, and anchored in strategic clarity. His ventures include pioneering ticketing and travel platforms, multi-unit franchise operations, and strategic consulting for venue owners and investors. His leadership is defined by collaboration, precision, and a relentless focus on building ventures that stand the test of time.
Following is Joel Cohen's resume, Managing Partner & CEO The Joel Cohen Group LLC.
Driving one of North America"e;s most ambitious motorsports and lifestyle projects from vision to reality.
As Co-Owner and COO of Circuit of the Northwest (CNW), Joel Cohen leads the strategic development of a next-generation motorsports and lifestyle destination. Anchored by a 50-year lease on 232 acres in Bremerton, Washington, CNW is master-planned around a 2.34-mile road course designed by world-renowned architect Hermann Tilke, with the intent to meet FIA and FIM standards upon completion. Uniquely integrated with Bremerton National Airport, the venue blends elite motorsports infrastructure with transformative regional impact.
Construction is targeted to begin in 2026, with opening projected for 2028. Cohen oversees operations, strategic partnerships, master planning, and investor relations—ensuring CNW delivers high-performance motorsports, measurable community value, and long-term economic resilience.
Key Focus Areas
- Stakeholder Alignment Uniting public and private sector leaders to drive strategic cohesion
- Public-Private Partnerships Structuring and advancing infrastructure initiatives that fuel regional growth
- Development & Operations Overseeing execution from concept to delivery with investor-ready precision
- Global Collaboration Partnering with ASM Global, Mortenson, and other industry leaders to ensure world-class standards
- Master Planning Embedding innovation, premium member experiences, and scalable growth into CNW’s DNA
The Joel Cohen Group is a motorsports development and strategic advisory firm specializing in infrastructure strategy, stakeholder alignment, and venue execution. Led by Managing Partner Joel Cohen, the firm provides executive guidance to public and private entities—shaping ventures that blend innovation, community impact, and long-term value.
Key Focus Areas:
- Ownership representation for motorsports and entertainment infrastructure projects
- Advisory leadership across venue strategy, development, and execution
- Strategic communications and investor-facing messaging
- Feasibility analysis, master planning, and stakeholder coordination
- Public-private alignment to support regional development initiatives
- Brand narrative refinement and positioning for investor appeal
The Joel Cohen Group reflects a legacy mindset—built on clarity, precision, and results. Every engagement is anchored in strategic logic, operational reality, and a relentless focus on building ventures that endure.
Other Services Offered Through Affiliations
- Environmental Assessments
- Financial Business Planner Services
- General Feasibility Study
- Marketing Programs
- Noise Studies
- Traffic and Parking Studies
Led one of the Midwest"e;s most active motorsports and entertainment operations, overseeing event production, sponsorship development, and strategic growth. As Owner and Managing Partner, I directed high-volume programming across racing, concerts, and community events—delivering consistent execution and brand expansion.
Key Focus Areas:
- Directed over 1,000 event weekends across motorsports and entertainment
- Produced four syndicated media programs for regional and national distribution
- Built and negotiated sponsorship programs that scaled annually and supported long-term growth
- Oversaw venue operations, staffing, and promotional strategy
- Collaborated with multiple sanctioning bodies to ensure compliance, safety, and competitive integrity
- Developed and executed strategic partnerships to enhance audience engagement and market reach
Checkered Flag Enterprises reflected a hands-on legacy of operational excellence, media innovation, and scalable motorsports leadership.
Served as Partner and Vice President of a family founded real estate corridor established by his father Jacob Cohen. Oversaw residential and commercial transactions, property management operations, and strategic planning to support long term growth and client service.
Key focus areas:
- Represented buyers, sellers, and investors across diverse property types
- Coordinated property management logistics, vendor relations, and tenant communications
- Supported marketing strategy and deal flow across residential and commercial portfolios
- Engaged with lenders, inspectors, and legal teams to ensure seamless transactions
- Contributed to operational planning and client engagement across the corridor
J & N Realty reflected a legacy of trust, responsiveness, and results driven execution built on family values and professional integrity.
Co-founded and led a portfolio of wireless ventures including Century Cellular Network, Simply Wireless, and Wholesale Cellular USA with Century Car Phones serving as the primary retail brand. These entities played a foundational role in shaping early mobile adoption, retail expansion, and distribution strategy, ultimately evolving into BrightPoint Inc., a publicly traded company later acquired by Ingram Micro.
Key focus areas:
- Founded and scaled multiple wireless entities serving retail, wholesale, and distribution markets
- Directed operations, vendor relations, and market strategy across regional and national channels
- Played a key role in the IPO process and public company transition
- Served as Director and Shareholder of BrightPoint (NASDAQ: CELL) during its growth and acquisition
- Helped shape early wireless infrastructure and consumer adoption through strategic partnerships
Led multi-unit operations as Co-Owner and Operator of International Dairy Queen franchises, with full P&L responsibility across locations. Drove market expansion, team development, and service innovation—positioning each unit for sustained growth and brand excellence within a globally recognized system.
Key Focus Areas:
- Scaled operations across multiple locations, ensuring consistency, profitability, and brand compliance
- Directed workforce leadership, training, and customer engagement strategies
- Implemented service innovations that elevated customer loyalty and operational efficiency
- Achieved long-term business success through strategic planning and disciplined execution
This venture was guided by a ten-year growth and exit strategy, culminating in a successful transition to the existing owner. The exit reflected Joel’s pivot toward larger entrepreneurial opportunities including the founding of The Joel Cohen Group LLC and co-ownership of Circuit of the Northwest where his focus shifted to infrastructure strategy, investor alignment, and legacy-scale development.
Founded one of the nation’s first integrated ticket and travel agencies, anticipating consumer demand for bundled access to events, airfare, lodging, and on-site experiences. Tickets Up Front pioneered a model that predated modern platforms like StubHub and Vivid Seats—delivering premium access and seamless logistics two decades ahead of industry trends.
Key Focus Areas:
- Developed bundled ticketing and travel solutions for high-demand events nationwide
- Built direct-to-consumer and B2B distribution channels across sports, concerts, and entertainment
- Managed vendor networks, inventory logistics, and secure transaction protocols
- Cultivated relationships with high-profile clients and corporate partners
- Delivered premium access and high-touch service across thousands of events
Recognized by Bullseye Event Group Co-Owner Kyle Kinnett as the first person to sell ticketing and hospitality packages to Fortune 100 companies—including Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Cummins Inc.
This venture reflected visionary leadership and market foresight, redefining how consumers and corporations accessed live experiences.
Achievements & Awards
- Zeta Bea Tau Member - Member, Vice President Bloomington, Indiana Chapter May 1981 – Present
- Indianapolis Business Journal - Forty under Forty Award Winner June 1998 – Present
- International Best Buddies - Supporter & Contributor September 2005 – Present
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
- Muscular Dystrophy Association - Supporter & Contributor September 2005 – Present
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary national health agency — a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans. Your local MDA office is available to serve anyone with one of the diseases in the Association’s program. MDA today is one of the world's leading voluntary health agencies fostering research and medical care. Programs available through your local MDA office are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.
Education
Indiana University Bloomington
Bachelor's degree, Criminal Law, Psychology General Business 1981 – 1985
Interests
- Family, Sports, Success, Creating Shareholder Value. Executive Management
- Joel enjoys Consulting where he can effectively contribute his experience and leadership skills.
- Joel’s approach centers on Listening "Two Ears, One Mouth approach."