By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

Old Orchard Beach will always be home for Brian Corcoran.

Corcoran, who has found success in the sports marketing world, credits his years in Old Orchard Beach for where he is today.

“I couldn’t have done half of what I’ve done without my teachers, family and friends in Old Orchard Beach,” he said.

In August, Corcoran, 39, will leave his job as managing director of corporate marketing at NASCAR to become executive vice president of Fenway Sports Group in Boston.

“NASCAR is a tough place to leave. They’ve been good to me,” he said. “It’s been a great ride, so to speak.”

In 2003, Corcoran helped bring Nextel in as a top series sponsor for NASCAR, a deal he said is considered one of the largest in sport’s history. He was excited to be part of it and said the deal was largely a case of being in the right place at the right time. 

In his new role at Fenway Sports Group, Corcoran will work with existing clients — including the Red Sox and Professional Golf Association tour — while establishing new partnerships for Roush Fenway Racing, a team competing in NASCAR races. His primary responsibilities will include cultivating corporate relationships and sponsorships for the Red Sox and Roush Fenway Racing.

“The best part for me is the ability to unite with an old passion of mine — Red Sox baseball — yet diversify my professional experiences,” he said. “I never thought I would leave NASCAR. I’ve developed a passion and affinity for motor sports. I hope Fenway Sports Group is a place where I can see myself winding down my career.”

Corcoran will relocate from New York City to Boston, a move he is pleased with because it brings him closer to home. He owns a condominium in Old Orchard Beach and visits frequently with his girlfriend, Melissa Paradis. 

Corcoran and Paradis, who have been dating for nearly two years, grew up as friends and neighbors on Lucid Avenue.  

Corocran called his relocation with Paradis a dream come true. 

“She’s been a trooper the last year in New York,” he said.

Corcoran is the son of William Corcoran, a retired sergeant with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department, and Judy Corcoran, who owned a beauty salon. His younger brother, Billy, is a teacher in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and a summer lifeguard in Old Orchard Beach.

“He’s the kid who really lives the good life,” Corcoran said.

Corcoran spoke fondly of his early years in town while sipping iced coffee at Beach Bagels on Old Orchard Street. His first job, at 15, was at Palace Playland. He still loves visiting the beach and stays in contact with a handful of childhood friends.   

“Times have changed a lot,” he said. “It’s still good to come home and see family and friends.”

Corcoran graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School in 1987 and attended Eastern Kentucky University on a partial track scholarship. There, he earned an undergraduate degree in exercise physiology and a Master’s degree in sports administration.

Corcoran’s first job after graduating was at Eastern Kentucky University. He also worked in sponsor fulfillment at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, for Florida Special Olympics and CBS Sports in New England.

This year, Corcoran was named to the annual Sports Business Journal “Forty Under 40” list, recognizing him as one of the country’s top sports executives under age 40. Those on the list were selected by peers in the industry. 

“It’s a true honor to be recognized by your peers,” Corcoran said. “For me, it was as much about the opportunity to be honored in front of my family and Melissa.”

His advice for new graduates is to not attempt to be a jack-of-all-trades.

“Really find your passion and give 110 percent to that passion,” he said. “It will reward you and the people in your life tremendously.”

Despite a busy career, Corcoran makes time for charity work. He serves as the chairman of the Make-A-Wish National Advisory Council. 

“Make-A-Wish is unique in that you see the results first hand,” he said. “It’s a labor of love.”

Corcoran hopes to develop more Make-A-Wish events while working with Fenway Sports Group, possibly in the form of Make-A-Wish days at Fenway Park. He said Make-A-Wish is only positively affecting half of the families eligible for the program and he would like to see that number grow over the next few years. 

“The unique moment of the wish allows the family to suspend that thing they are struggling with. It gives them hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

Corcoran has been in Old Orchard Beach this summer whenever he’s not on a racetrack. 

“I feel like I’m truly home again. It still has that nice small-town feel to it. You truly feel like you have neighbors,” he said. “I hope New England is where I call home for the rest of my life.”