Derek Younger, a longtime advocate for the creative economy recently accepted a position with The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as Director, Sales and Ticket Services.
Mr. Younger is familiar with the Commission's work, previously serving as Chief of Staff for the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) and as the Interim Executive Director of DC Commission on Arts and Humanities. Mr. Younger also served as special assistant at the Office of Cable Television, where he played a key role in the Office of Motion Picture and Television Development and the Office of Cable Television merger to form the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment. He also served as Special Assistant and Deputy Director of Operations and Tactical Implementation to the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities.
Mr. Younger made history as the first employee hired by Major League Baseball as the Director of Ticketing Operations after the Montreal Expos announced a move to Washington D.C. In a short span of only six months, Younger coordinated all ticketing operations and procedures while in the midst of major renovations to RFK Stadium and the construction of the new Washington Nationals ballpark. As a result of Mr. Younger's efforts, the Nationals successfully hosted a sellout crowd for their home opener on April 14, 2005.
Younger's efforts contributed to the successful opening of RFK as the first stadium to host Major League Baseball in Washington D.C. in 34 years along with the opening of Nationals Park three years later. In 2006, Younger directed the ticket operations for the visit and Eucharist by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at Nationals Park - a 55,000 capacity event. Younger's operational experience and expertise as Director has placed him as Venue Director at the 2000 Olympic Summer Games in Sydney, Australia, overseeing the Dome and 4 key pavilions for both the 2000 Olympic Summer games and the proceeding 2000 Paralympic games in Sydney, Australia. He also served as the Venue Director for the 2002 Olympic Winter Garnes in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mr. Younger has extensive experience in the Arts, Theatre and Creative Economy, working as the Assistant Treasurer for the Wang Theatre/Boch Center for the Performing Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. He also served on the Board of Directors for the International Ticketing Associations and the Hawthorne Youth and Development Center, and as President of the IATSE Local-B4.
A Ward 5 resident, Mr. Younger received a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College and is an alum of the Art Institute of Atlanta.
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Commissioner Since: April 2, 2019
Current Term Ends: June 30, 2022