Company appoints two vice presidents of operation; Kevin Austin to oversee Eastern region and Joe Sims to direct company operations in Western region
Delaware North Companies Sportservice has announced the promotion of Kevin Austin and Joe Sims to the role of vice president of operations. Austin will oversee company operations in the Eastern region of the United States, while Sims will direct operations in the Western region. Both Austin and Sims will report to Rick Abramson, president of Delaware North Companies Sportservice.
“Both Kevin and Joe have proven themselves strong leaders and I’m confident they will excel in these new assignments,” said Rick Abramson, president of Delaware North Companies Sportservice.
Austin and Sims will work in tandem to direct Sportservice’s food, beverage and retail operations across the United States. They will manage the company’s operating staff while maintaining close relationships with Sportservice clients and growing the company’s presence in the hospitality industry. Austin will retain his responsibility for new clients in New York City and New Jersey. Sims will meanwhile continue to oversee company operations he previously managed as regional vice president.
“I believe having Kevin and Joe in these positions will strengthen our units across the country and grow our reputation as a leader in the hospitality industry,” said Abramson. “It will also allow us to bring greater focus to our business strategy moving forward.”
Austin has spent his entire 29-year career in the sports hospitality industry and held numerous executive-level positions during that span. Prior to joining Delaware North, he served as senior vice president at Centerplate and oversaw operations at some of the most impressive stadiums in the country. He also served on the company’s senior management team and was entrusted with strategic management decisions. Austin brings his wide array of experience, knowledge and insight to his new post. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY. Austin will be based in New Jersey.
Sims has been with Delaware North for nearly 30 years. Most recently, he served as a regional vice president. Sims began his career with Delaware North in 1980 as an hourly concessions porter with Cincinnati baseball. He systematically rose through the ranks, eventually serving as the general manager for Sportservice at Great American Ball Park. In that role, he helped open the Cincinnati Reds’ new ballpark in 2003. Soon after, Nation’s Restaurant News recognized him as one of the top 25 emerging general managers.
“Both Kevin and Joe have positioned themselves as industry leaders in the sports concessions and facility management industries and I’m proud to have them working for Sportservice” said Abramson.