The National Sporting Goods Association's board of directors has named Matt Carlson as successor to retiring President & CEO Jim Faltinek.
The board unanimously elected Carlson at their annual meeting after meeting and interviewing candidates presented by a five-person selection committee. Carlson will begin his duties as SVP & President/CEO-Elect on April 1. Faltinek has served the NSGA for 28 years. He will work with Carlson to ensure a smooth transition until his retirement takes effect May 2.
Carlson will officially become president & CEO at the NSGA Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit, which will be held May 4-7 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Prior to taking over the top staff position at NSGA, Carlson had served for eight years as the city administrator of the City of Delafield, Wis., and was assistant village manager for three of his 11-year tenure at the Village of Glenview, Ill.
“Matt has a history of getting things done, and thats exactly the type of person NSGA needs,” Faltinek said. “The skills he honed while serving in public administration are very much applicable to NSGA.
“He has tackled challenging situations and found solutions that worked. I think he is an excellent choice,” Faltinek added.
“Im excited to join the industry leader and its high-quality team,” Carlson said. “I would like to help remove hurdles that are standing in the way of our members success.”
“The NSGA Board is very pleased that Matt accepted the position,” said NSGA Chairman of the Board Bruce Ullery, president & CEO of MC Sports. “Matt is a goal driven, high-energy individual who will hit the ground running. I am confident that Matt's work history, along with his personal and management skill sets, will be an asset to the association, blending very well with the experienced and talented NSGA staff.”
“I am very pleased with the Boards selection of Matt Carlson to succeed Jim as President & CEO,” said Bob Dickman, NSGA treasurer/chairman-clect and general manager of the Sport Supply Group Team Dealer Division. “I think the members will benefit from the energy, experience and new perspective that Matt brings to NSGA.
“I would like to commend everyone involved in the professional manner the process was executed,” Dickman said. “Jim leaves NSGA in excellent condition and prepared to handle the challenges of the industry for the future.
“I wish Jim a long and enjoyable retirement and look forward to working with Matt in the years to come,” Dickman added.
“We wanted to find someone who had high-level management and leadership experience,” said NSGA Past Chairman Ron Kruse, president of Haydens Athletic, who was chairman of the executive search committee. “We also wanted someone who worked with an organization with a similar size staff.
“We think Matts going to be a great manager and leader,” Kruse said. “He has outstanding communications skills and will be an excellent representative for the association.”
NSGA, which has served the sporting goods industry since 1929, organizes and hosts the annual NSGA Management Conference & Team Dealer Summit, the sporting goods industrys premier educational and networking event (Next: May 4-7, 2008 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix, Ariz.).
