Sports Facilities Companies Announce Hire of Longtime Sports Tourism Professional J.D. Wood

Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), the leader in youth and amateur sports facility planning, development, and management, announced the hire of J.D. Wood, a longtime sports tourism industry professional this week. Wood, formerly of the Dallas Sports Commission, has been hired as the regional vice president of strategic development for SFC, a position dedicated to expanding the firms’ facility management footprint in the Western half of the United States.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be rejoining SFC in this new role,” said Wood. “As a leader in tourism and sports, I’ve witnessed firsthand how powerful outsourced management and market research can be - not only to facilities in development but to existing facilities as well. In 2018, I had the opportunity to open the Publix Sports Complex in Panama City Beach as general manager for SFC. Now, I have the opportunity to share that experience and knowledge with communities across the country, and I am thrilled to support SFC’s mission of improving health and economic vitality in communities around the country.”

Additionally, Wood’s experience in sports tourism over the last 15 years includes serving as director of business development & events at the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau, tourism manager at the City of College Station Parks and Recreation Department and senior competition manager for the National Senior Games. Along with his extensive venue and destination experience, Wood had the honor of serving on teams who won bids for and/or oversaw premier sporting events such as Super Bowl XLV, the NBA All-Star Game, Games of Texas, Dallas World Cup 2026 and more.

SFC Partner Eric Sullivan said of the hire, “J.D. has such an incredible background in sports, parks, and tourism. He is not only well known in the sports tourism industry but well liked and well respected. His integrity as a businessperson and his leadership skills are a great fit for our culture, clients, and communities.”

Currently, the Sports Facilities Companies operate 40-plus sports, recreation, and tourism properties across the country. Wood joins the 1500-plus person team at SFC. To learn more about Sports Facilities Companies, visit www.sportsfacilities.com.