As Vice President of Venue Management at The Sports Facilities Companies, Joe DeRing plays a key leadership role in guiding the performance and growth of venues across the SF Network. He partners closely with general managers, ownership groups, and cross-functional leaders to align day-to-day operations with long-term business goals—focusing on guest experience, revenue generation, and community impact. Joe helps venues navigate pre-opening, ramp-up, and ongoing optimization, ensuring they are positioned to succeed in competitive sports tourism and local recreation markets.
Joe brings a deeply operational, people-first teaching style to his role, rooted in years spent building destination experiences, leading teams, and developing new concepts. He is passionate about helping venues become true community assets. Places where athletes, families, and partners feel welcomed, supported, and inspired. Through a mix of clear operational standards, data-informed decisions, and on-the-ground collaboration, he works to elevate performance while supporting the leaders who run each facility.
Before joining The Sports Facilities Companies, Joe founded and led Empower Adventures and Empower Leadership, a family of zip line adventure parks and experiential programs that combine outdoor recreation with team and leadership development. His passion for leadership was shaped by his service as an Infantry Officer in the United States Army, where he led units in challenging environments and saw firsthand the power of trust, preparation, and teamwork. Those experiences continue to inform his approach to venue management, guest service, and team culture across the SF Network.
Education
University of Delaware – Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Government