Andy Papathanassiou

After earning an undergraduate degree in Economics and a master's degree in Organizational Behavior from Stanford University, Andy Papathanassiou was intrigued by various career paths, including NASCAR racing. His background in organizational behavior, combined with his athleticism—rooted in his days as a USA Today All-American in shot put and an academic All-American in football during high school—suggested he could make a significant contribution to the sport.

In 1992, he joined Hendrick Motorsports as the first ever pit crew coach, beginning with the Jeff Gordon-driven DuPont race team. Recognizing the need for enhanced efficiency and teamwork, Papathanassiou implemented rigorous training programs that emphasized practice, repetition, coaching, review, innovation, and process improvement. This approach not only transformed the operations of NASCAR pit crews but also set new standards for racing team performance. Over the years, these changes have contributed significantly to Hendrick Motorsports teams securing ten NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships.

Today, Papathanassiou serves as the Director of Human Performance at Hendrick Motorsports, a role that has evolved from his previous position as Personnel Director from 2000 to 2005. In his current capacity, he continues to influence over 550 employees across diverse groups including pilots, mechanics, engineers, and administrative staff. His work focuses on optimizing human performance and applying his "Over The Wall™" philosophy, which extends the athletic mindset to all team and organizational activities.

Papathanassiou is also a noted speaker, sharing insights on teamwork, peak performance, and innovation based on his extensive experience in motorsports. His speaking engagements often draw parallels between high-performance sports teams and business environments, emphasizing the importance of communication, empathy, and strategic thinking for achieving success. Through his keynote speeches and experiential events, he continues to inspire a broad range of audiences, from corporate settings to educational institutions.