Stephen V. Rodriguez brings over 30 years of tourism, events, facilities, programming and amateur sport development experience at the state, national and international levels, with an emphasis on public-private partnerships and non-profit management. Rodriguez worked with the Governor’s Council and Physical Fitness and Sport, assisting with the execution and development of the Sunshine State Games, Florida Senior Games, and various special projects including the nation’s first Olympic Florida specialty license plate, which still provides funding support for Olympic athletes and the Sunshine State Games.
After graduating from the University of Florida, Rodriguez managed the Florida Association of USA Track & Field and served as the membership chair. Following his work with USATF-Florida, he served at the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and Sports Institute. While there, he was responsible for the administration of the Commission’s Unified Youth Sports Program for the county, the Lou Groza Collegiate Place Kicker Award and hosting many events including the NAIA Spring Championship Games, USA Field Hockey Fall Festival and the NPAL Baseball World Series, among many others.
Following his time at the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Stephen spent 18 years at the Florida Sports Foundation, promoting the state’s sport tourism efforts, leading and growing the Sunshine State Games and Florida Senior Games into the top programs in the nation and various other responsibilities including administration, event planning, finance, fundraising, government relations, program management, tourism and economic development. During this time, Stephen became the longest standing director of the Sunshine State Games and the Florida Senior Games.
In 2017, Rodriguez joined Nathan Benderson Park, leading North America’s top rowing and paddling facility, securing and hosting numerous international and national events including NCAA Championships, World Rowing Championships and more. While operating the world-class Nathan Benderson Park, Stephen diversified facility offerings, hosting hundreds of events and training teams, developing innovative programming and world champion teams, created new events, and securing many first-time events for the US and Florida.
Stephen has served on numerous governing and advisory boards, including the National Congress of State Games and the National Senior Games Association, where he was awarded the Warren Blaney Lifetime Achievement Award and was named one of the 30 Champions of the Games.