The Panama City Beach Sports Complex has hired Jamie Cox as its general manager. The complex, created by Visit Panama City Beach and managed by Sports Facilities Management, opened in 2019 and was previously led by J.D. Wood, who recently left for a position at the Dallas Sports Commission.
Cox has 15 years of experience in the sports industry, spending the previous three years in Hoover, Alabama, opening the SFM-managed Hoover Metropolitan Complex. There, he helped lead business development efforts that resulted in $50 million in visitor spending to the region in 2019. Cox has also served as a sports and wellness director for the Atlanta and Birmingham YMCA associations.
“I am thrilled to join the talented team at Visit Panama City Beach and the Sports Complex,” Cox said. “I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to building on the incredible momentum generated by the complex in pre-opening and in this first year of operation. I am honored to work within the SFM Network and I look forward to building on the success and adding new events to the ‘World’s Best Beaches.’ ”
The Panama City Beach Sports Complex features 13 configurable fields, nine synthetic turf fields and two championship fields.
“Jamie is a winner and it is a privilege to see hard-working team members rewarded,” said Jason Clement, CEO and founder of SFM. “Jamie has been a tremendous asset to the Hoover team, serving high-profile events like the SEC Baseball Tournament, Perfect Game and numerous long field football, soccer and lacrosse events to that community. His relationship building, work ethic and accountability provide an example for all of us in the SFM Network. He will serve Panama City Beach well.”