Sport Group Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Sport Group has 5 executives leading key functions including strategy, technology, operations, marketing, and finance.

Driven by a commitment to sustainable surface innovation, Sport Group delivers high-performance synthetic solutions for global sports and landscaping markets while advancing circular manufacturing technologies.

Leadership Roles at Sport Group

  • Chief Executive Officer - Heard Smith
  • Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (Americas) - Randy Schaefer
  • Chief Operating Officer - Clint Filipowicz
  • Chief Technology Officer - James Tritt
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Jamie Samide
  • Heard Smith - Chief Executive Officer

    Heard Smith, the Chief Executive Officer at Sport Group, directs the overarching corporate strategy and global expansion initiatives. Smith oversees the integration of diverse brands like AstroTurf and Polytan to maintain market dominance in synthetic sports surfaces. By aligning research and development with manufacturing capabilities, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the company meets complex demands across leisure and industrial sectors. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to drive long-term value and sustainable growth. Heard Smith prioritizes the adoption of advanced recycling technologies to reduce environmental impact across international operations. Through rigorous oversight of global assets, the Chief Executive Officer secures the competitive positioning of the organization. Smith fosters a culture of excellence, ensuring that every division contributes to the mission of providing superior athletic surfaces worldwide. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer maintains the financial health and operational integrity of the entire enterprise.

    Randy Schaefer - Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (Americas)

    Randy Schaefer, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (Americas) at Sport Group, manages the financial planning and fiscal health of the company's operations across the Americas. Schaefer oversees budgeting, financial reporting, and capital allocation to support regional growth objectives. By analyzing financial data, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (Americas) provides critical insights that inform strategic decision-making for manufacturing and installation projects. Randy Schaefer ensures compliance with financial regulations while optimizing cash flow to fund research and development initiatives. This role requires close coordination with executive leadership to align financial resources with the company's long-term goals. The Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (Americas) monitors economic trends to mitigate risks and capitalize on market opportunities. Through rigorous financial oversight, Schaefer maintains the stability of the regional business unit. The Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (Americas) drives fiscal discipline, ensuring that all investments contribute to the overall profitability and success of the organization.

    Clint Filipowicz - Chief Operating Officer

    Clint Filipowicz, the Chief Operating Officer at Sport Group, manages the end-to-end execution of global manufacturing and installation projects. Filipowicz oversees the complex supply chain and logistics networks required to deliver synthetic surfaces to diverse markets. By streamlining operational workflows, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that large-scale projects for sports and leisure facilities reach completion on time and within budget. Clint Filipowicz coordinates with regional teams to maintain consistent quality across all international installations. This leadership role involves optimizing resource allocation to maximize efficiency in the production of materials like Laykold and SYNLawn. The Chief Operating Officer monitors operational performance metrics to identify areas for process improvement and cost reduction. Through strategic oversight of field operations, Filipowicz supports the company's ability to scale effectively in new territories. The Chief Operating Officer drives operational excellence, ensuring that every project delivers the performance and reliability expected by global clients.

    James Tritt - Chief Technology Officer

    James Tritt, the Chief Technology Officer at Sport Group, architects the technical roadmap for synthetic surface innovation and material science. Tritt manages the research and development pipeline, focusing on the creation of high-performance turf and track systems. By integrating advanced manufacturing processes, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that products like Poligras and Rekortan meet stringent global standards. James Tritt drives the development of sustainable turf solutions, pushing the boundaries of material recycling to support environmental goals. This role requires close collaboration with manufacturing teams to optimize production efficiency and product durability. The Chief Technology Officer evaluates emerging technologies to maintain a technological edge in the competitive sports surface market. Through continuous testing and engineering improvements, Tritt enhances the performance characteristics of all company offerings. The Chief Technology Officer remains dedicated to technical excellence, ensuring that every installation reflects the highest quality standards in the industry.

    Jamie Samide - Chief Marketing Officer

    Jamie Samide, the Chief Marketing Officer at Sport Group, directs the global brand strategy and market positioning for the entire portfolio of surface solutions. Samide oversees the communication of value propositions for brands such as AstroTurf and Polytan to sports, leisure, and industrial stakeholders. By crafting targeted campaigns, the Chief Marketing Officer expands the company's reach across international markets. Jamie Samide manages the alignment of marketing initiatives with the broader corporate mission of sustainability and innovation. This role involves analyzing market trends to identify growth opportunities and strengthen brand equity. The Chief Marketing Officer collaborates with sales teams to ensure consistent messaging and effective lead generation. Through the development of digital and physical marketing assets, Samide enhances the visibility of the company's integrated capabilities. The Chief Marketing Officer drives engagement with key industry partners, ensuring that the organization remains the preferred choice for high-performance synthetic sports surfaces worldwide.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Sport Group Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Sport Group?
    Sport Group is led by Heard Smith (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Randy Schaefer (Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (Americas)) and Clint Filipowicz (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Sport Group’s executive team?
    The executive team of Sport Group includes leaders such as Heard Smith (Chief Executive Officer), Randy Schaefer (Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (Americas)), Clint Filipowicz (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Sport Group have?
    Sport Group has 5 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Sport Group’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Sport Group includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer (Americas), Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Marketing Officer.