Richard Beard Named President and CEO of Greensboro Sports Foundation

The Greensboro Sports Foundation has chosen its first president and chief executive officer, and it’s a familiar face.

Richard Beard, who formally served as vice chairman, has been appointed to the organization’s newly created positions effective June 1, 2022. Rob Goodman is stepping down at the end of June as executive director of the organization.

“The Foundation is excited that Richard will be fully engaged in focusing his passion for growing sports tourism in our region,” said Mark Prince, chairman of the Greensboro Sports Foundation. “His vast experience and infectious enthusiasm will bode well for our organization in the new role of president and CEO. I look forward to working with Richard as we are now poised to ignite Greensboro Sports Foundation as a driving force in sports related economic growth for our area.”

Beard will leave his real estate career with Schulman & Beard Commercial Real Estate to assume his new role. A Greensboro native, Beard has a long history with economic development and sports tourism, beginning in 1996 as a senior project manager with the Greensboro Chamber Economic Development.

“My passion for everything Greensboro, coupled with the rich history Greensboro has in amateur sports, makes this truly a dream opportunity for me,” said Beard. “Greensboro has developed an incredible platform for sports tourism and has a reputation for excellence with hosting major events including ACC and NCAA Basketball Tournaments, USA Swimming meets, AAU youth sporting events, USA Figure Skating Championships and many others. Our brand of ‘Tournament Town’ could not be more fitting and I am thrilled to take the Greensboro Sports Foundation to a more prominent level.”

The Greensboro Sports Foundation, founded in 2018, will be expanding its role in sports tourism to include greater collaboration with local officials and amateur sports organizations to enhance and expand facilities, increase community awareness of sports tourism, assist in the recruiting of major amateur sports events, expand the community volunteer base and continue building Greensboro’s “Tournament Town” brand.