Demp Bradford
Eden
Summary
Senior sports tourism and nonprofit executive with 25+ years of experience leading national and international sporting events, nonprofit organizations, and destination marketing initiatives. Recognized for executive-level collaboration with governors’ offices, state agencies, public health officials, emergency management leaders, and elected officials to deliver complex, high-profile events. Proven leader in strategic planning, partnership development, organizational growth, and crisis management, guiding organizations through the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining event operations, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and positioning organizations for long-term success.
Overview
1
1
Certification
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Sports and Sales
Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge
03.2026 - 06.2026
- Directed the Sports Tourism and Meetings & Convention Sales teams for a five-jurisdiction tourism authority, providing strategic leadership for sales initiatives and stakeholder engagement.
- Supervised a team of three professionals and led development of the FY2026-27 organizational work plan and departmental budget.
- Collaborated with municipal and collegiate partners to successfully execute the 2026 NCAA Division III Softball National Championships and initiated strategic planning for the 2028-2030 NCAA championship bid cycle.
Adjunct Professor- Sports Administration & Sports Finance
Guilford College
01.2016 - Current
- Develop and teach curriculum in sports finance and administration, emphasizing real-world application, leadership, and management strategies.
- Created and facilitated internship and volunteer pipelines with local sporting events, providing students and emerging professionals with hands-on, practical application of classroom concepts.
Chief Operations Officer/Vice President of Events and Operations
Greensboro Sports Foundation
07.2022 - 02.2026
- Senior executive responsible for organizational operations, finance, and event delivery for Guilford County’s sports tourism authority.
- Directed Local Organizing Committees for ACC and NCAA Championships including ACC Women’s Basketball, ACC Men’s Basketball, ACC Gymnastics, and NCAA Men’s Basketball First & Second Round.
- Served as executive liaison among rights holders, facility leadership, city and county officials, and emergency management partners.
- Led development of comprehensive emergency action and security plans for national events, including the 2024 AAU Junior Olympics Track & Field Championships.
- Elected President of the North Carolina Sports Association, leading statewide advocacy and legislative engagement.
- Built and scaled a structured volunteer workforce of nearly 500 recurring volunteers, providing an unprecedented advantage in competitive bid evaluations and event execution for major sporting events.
President and Executive Director
Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission
07.2016 - 06.2022
- Chief executive officer responsible for budgeting, finance, sponsorships, community relations and recruiting events that generated over $24 million in economic impact annually.
- Promoted to President and Executive Director in 2019 from Executive Director.
- Built operating reserves exceeding $100,000 and strengthened long-term organizational sustainability.
- Led the COVID-era relocation of the Maui Invitational to Asheville through direct coordination with the Governor of North Carolina, state and local public health officials, emergency management agencies, and city and county leadership.
- Served as Tournament Director for the Southern Conference Basketball Championships creating a new corporate partner plan and increasing annual revenues from $30,000 to over $140,000.
- Recruited and secured an unprecedented three of four Billie Jean King Cup International Tennis events in Asheville’s first major international sporting event, generating an estimated $2,000,000 US vs. Ukraine economic impact.
Director of Events
Tournament Host Committee of Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
01.2015 - 06.2016
- Managed bids, budgets, and volunteer coordination for high-profile events including NCAA, ACC, and US Figure Skating Championships.
- Oversaw financial operations for multiple local sports organizations and Halls of Fame.
Vice President of Operations
Greensboro Sports Commission
Greensboro, NC
01.2005 - 01.2015
- Oversaw logistics and volunteer operations for NCAA, ACC, and national events.
- Successfully secured NCAA championships through targeted bid development and facility partnerships.
- Developed multi-year strategic facility and event plans in collaboration with local government and educational institutions.
- Designed and implemented comprehensive accounting protocols and internal controls, managed all financial activity, and coordinated with external accounting firms to support clean and timely audits.
Executive Director
Greensboro Youth Soccer Association
Greensboro, NC
01.1998 - 01.2004
- Directed a $1.1M nonprofit, managing 17-field Bryan Park Soccer Complex, staff, events, and facility expansions ($4M+ in capital improvements).
- Created corporate partnerships (e.g., NIKE), initiated $1.2M capital campaign, and increased net profitability annually.
- Led planning and execution for major tournaments, including 2003 US Youth Soccer Southern Regionals ($12M economic impact).
Education
Masters of Art in Education - Sports Management
East Carolina University
Bachelors of Arts - Sports Management
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill
Skills
- Executive & Board Leadership
- International & Major Event Recruitment
- Government & Public-Sector Relations
- Crisis & Pandemic Event Management
- Financial Oversight & Budgeting
- Event Security & Emergency Operations
- Rights Holder & Facility Negotiations
- Volunteer & Workforce Leadership
- Online teaching
- Curriculum creation
HONORS & PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
Power 100 - North Carolina’s Most Influential Leaders, Business North Carolina (2024), Chairman, North Carolina Sports Association (2023-2025), Vice Chairman, North Carolina Youth Soccer Association, Chairman, Billie Jean King Cup Local Organizing Committee (2018, 2019, and 2022), Chair, Local Organizing Committee - Southern Conference Basketball Tournament, Former Member, Asheville Civic Center Commission (Ex Officio), Event Organizer & Volunteer Leader - Numerous NCAA/ACC Championships, Chair, Local Organizing Committee - Southern Conference Basketball Tournament
Certification
- Certified Sports Diversity Leader in Travel - Compete Sports
- Certified Sports Event Executive - SportsETA
ADDITIONAL ROLES
Director of Catering at First Horizon Park, Regional Promotions Manager at TSI Soccer, and early-career positions in ticketing and development at East Carolina University and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
Timeline
Vice President of Sports and Sales
Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge
03.2026 - 06.2026
Chief Operations Officer/Vice President of Events and Operations
Greensboro Sports Foundation
07.2022 - 02.2026
President and Executive Director
Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission
07.2016 - 06.2022
Adjunct Professor- Sports Administration & Sports Finance
Guilford College
01.2016 - Current
Director of Events
Tournament Host Committee of Greensboro
01.2015 - 06.2016
Vice President of Operations
Greensboro Sports Commission
01.2005 - 01.2015
Executive Director
Greensboro Youth Soccer Association
01.1998 - 01.2004
Bachelors of Arts - Sports Management
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill
Masters of Art in Education - Sports Management
East Carolina University