Sport Oregon Names Matt Reed as New Chief Operating Officer

PORTLAND, Ore. – Sport Oregon today announced that Matt Reed has been promoted to chief operating officer (COO) for the organization.  

Previously serving as Sport Oregon’s director of sports tourism after joining the organization in January 2020, Reed has led Sport Oregon’s competitive bid process for hosted events and has managed key tourism relationships throughout the state to support those events.

In his new role with Sport Oregon, Reed will continue to oversee its sports tourism efforts while managing the organization’s departmental staff and all aspects of its day-to-day operations.

“We couldn’t be more excited for Matt to have the opportunity to be the new COO for Sport Oregon,” said Jim Etzel, CEO of Sport Oregon. “Matt possesses all the key qualities you look for in a COO, and he is the perfect individual to join the executive leadership team and help move Sport Oregon into its next growth chapter.”

Reed succeeds Sport Oregon’s former COO, Maika Janat-Vennemann, who departs the organization to be closer to family in her native Germany.

“Maika was a driving force in building this organization to where it is today,” Etzel said. “In many ways, today’s announcement is a testament to the caliber of team we built during her time with the organization. We are fortunate to be able to hire from within, to promote a talented individual like Matt who has such a strong and deep knowledge of our team, organization and industry and who already has had such a tremendous influence on our growth over the past three years.”

Reed has worked in sports tourism since 2012, focusing on attracting world-class collegiate, professional and grassroots sporting events, and working with local partners to make these events successful. In his time with Sport Oregon, he has played a critical role in creating more opportunities and elevating Portland and the state of Oregon as a leading location for top sporting events.

“I’m tremendously appreciative of Jim Etzel and the executive board for entrusting me with this opportunity,” Reed said. “Our team has proved time and again that we’re up to the task of driving true impact in our state through sports and recreation, and I’m so excited to continue working with our staff, members and partners in executing projects that drive and enhance our mission.”

Prior to joining Sport Oregon, Reed served as the national sports sales manager for Team San Jose from 2014-19. He was the sports sales manager for the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau before joining Team San Jose, an economic development organization and the official convention and visitors bureau for San Jose, Calif.

Originally from Emporium, Pa., Reed earned a bachelor’s degree in communication arts & sciences from Penn State University and went on to earn a master’s degree in sport & recreation management from Temple University.

Matt and his wife, Laura, reside in Beaverton with their son, Ben (5), and daughter, Joey (4 months).