AKRON, Ohio (June 19, 2025) – The board of directors of International Soap Box Derby, Inc. (ISBD) has named two long-time volunteers to key interim management posts following the ISBD’s recent change in executive leadership.
Dennis VanFossen Jr.
Chris Harris
Dennis VanFossen Jr. will serve as the organization’s interim executive director and Chris Harris will be interim director of operations, according to board chair Jill Kolesar. Their appointments are effective immediately.
“These appointments will ensure the successful running of the upcoming 87th FirstEnergy Soap Box Derby beginning on Sunday, July 13 and culminating with the world championships at Derby Downs on Saturday, July 19,” Kolesar said. “Following race week, the board will begin a search for a new chief executive officer.”
“Dennis and Chris both have been involved in local and national Soap Box Derby activities for decades,” she said. “They bring extensive background knowledge and experience about our program and working with volunteers to these important posts.”
Kolesar said that all staff departments will report to VanFossen, who also will be responsible for relationships with sponsors, donors and community leaders, as well as for fund-raising. Harris will be responsible for the organization and execution of all racing activities.
VanFossen competed in the Akron local Soap Box Derby from 2001 through 2010 and was the Rally Super Stock world champion at the 2007 All-American Soap Box Derby. He later raced for three years in the Ultimate Speed competition.
While a student at the University of Akron, he was a member of the events management staff at Derby Downs in 2013 and 2014. He has been a member of the ISBD board of directors since 2020 and is a member of the marketing committee. VanFossen will step down from the board of directors in order to take on these responsibilities.
VanFossen earned a bachelor of science degree in sports studies from the University of Akron. He later served as manager of events at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio and has been a sales consultant to several firms in recent years. He lives in Canton.
Harris founded the Silicon Valley Soap Box Derby in Palo Alto, California in 2005 and has served as its president for 20 years. He has been secretary of the California Soap Box Derby Family program since 2008. In 2014, he became regional director of the Soap Box Derby’s Region 2, which serves races in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah. He has been chair of the regional directors since 2022. He also oversees computer and systems operations for the Soap Box Derby, including websites, maintenance of the computer network and cloud storage systems.
He earned a bachelor of science degree in systems engineering from the University of Arizona. He has spent his professional career in computer and systems technology. He was a software engineer at IBM before founding Grapevine Computer Systems in 1990. Following the sale of that company, he founded Corporate West Computer Systems in 1993 in Campbell, California. He sold that company in 2024 and continues to serve as a consultant. He moved from California to Lakemore, Ohio near Akron in 2024.
About the Soap Box Derby
The International Soap Box Derby® is a non-profit youth education and leadership development organization whose mission is to build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through fair and honest racing competitions, STEM curriculums, and other community-focused activities. The Derby’s Core Values and Drivers include Youth Education and Leadership Development; Family Engagement and Enrichment; Honesty, Integrity, and Perseverance; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Teamwork and Collaboration; Mentoring; Volunteerism; and Commitment to Community. The Derby’s two youth initiatives are the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby racing program and the STEM-based Education Program, which provides educational opportunities for K-12 youth worldwide through Soap Box Derby racing. The Derby dates back to 1934, when the first All-American race was held in Dayton, Ohio. For more information, visit www.soapboxderby.org
CONTACT:
Bob Troyer, Public Relations Chair
International Soap Box Derby
(312) 543-6703