Mattox brings 35 years of operations and sports hospitality experience with Delaware North Sportservice to new role
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Delaware North, a global hospitality and entertainment company, has appointed Shawn Mattox as chief operating officer (COO) for the company’s Parks and Resorts division.
Mattox brings more than 35 years of experience with Delaware North to the role, including a strong record of leading complex, high-profile operations across Delaware North’s sports hospitality business, Sportservice. He most recently served as vice president of operations for Sportservice, overseeing a strategically significant portfolio spanning venues across the NFL, MLB and NHL, including restaurant and entertainment venue operations.
Mattox is reporting to Delaware North Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jamie Obletz.
“Throughout his career, Shawn Mattox has demonstrated the kind of disciplined, hands-on leadership that our Parks and Resorts business depends on,” Obletz said. “He is known across the enterprise for driving operational excellence, growth and long-term client partnerships.”
Delaware North Parks and Resorts owns and operates lodging, food, beverage and retail services, along with recreational tours and activities, in and near many iconic national and state parks, including Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Olympic national parks and Niagara Falls State Park. The division operates in national parks under National Park Service concessions contracts and operates Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for NASA.
Mattox has led major venue launches for Delaware North, including at Truist Park with the Atlanta Braves, and supported the execution of some of the sports industry’s most complex and visible events, including the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, World Series and MLB All-Star Games. He has also helped secure key contract extensions in important markets.
“What stands out about Shawn is not only the scale of the operations he has led, but the way he leads them: with strong client focus, financial discipline, an entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to building and mentoring the talent within his teams,” Obletz said. “Those strengths will translate well to Parks and Resorts, where our success depends on operational consistency, trusted relationships with our government partners and a deep understanding of the guest experience in highly visible locations.”
Mattox, an avid outdoors enthusiast, is excited for the opportunities and challenges that come with the new role.
“I look forward to sharing my experience from Sportservice and working with our parks leadership and location teams to elevate operational performance and the incredible guest experience that we bring to so many special locations,” Mattox said. “During my career at Delaware North, I’ve worked with some of our Parks and Resorts leaders on enterprise projects and have visited several of the iconic properties in our portfolio. I can’t wait to get started.”