The Running Specialty Group (RSG), the run specialty chain owned by The Finish Line, has appointed Bob Wallace, the former founder of Run On!, as senior adviser, strategic initiatives.
The hiring follows a continuing upheavel in RSG’s management.
In April, Finish Line appointed athletic industry veteran Bill Kirkendall as president to oversee the daily operations of RSG, taking over day-to-day operations from Gart Cos. Finish Line at the time also increased its ownership stake in RSG. In early July, Finish Line district sales manager Scott Goodmon was appointed VP, store operations at RSG.
In his new capacity, Wallace will serve as a key counselor to strategically plan and integrate growth opportunities surrounding industry trends while focusing on adding operational efficiencies and being an ambassador to the running community.
In October 2012, RSG acquired Run On!, which operated 5 stores in the Dallas area at the time, That acquisition marked its first since the 2011 acquisition of an 18-store chain of specialty running shops operating under The Running Company banner. Bob and Rebecca Wallace, who co-founded Run On! in 1995, remained with RSG to help drive expansion in Dallas/Ft. Worth and surrounding areas.
“Bob is truly an authority in this segment of specialty retail and I look forward to working closely with him in this new role,” said Kirkendall. “We have been fortunate to bring this wealth of experience into our business. With Bob now at the helm of our strategic ventures, we’ll incorporate his expertise in building community initiatives throughout all of our banners to boost the overall customer experience and further position RSG as the everyday runner’s prime resource.”
RSG operates 59 stores in 12 states and the District of Columbia under The Running Company, Run On!, Blue Mile, Boulder Running Company, Roncker’s Running Spot, Running Fit and VA Runner banners.
