AboutGolf, the developer of indoor golf simulator technology, hired high-technology industry veteran Robert R. Ryan as its new Chairman/CEO.
Ryan – who currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for Red Cedar Technology – joins aboutGolf with more than 25 years of experience in the high-technology software industry.
“Bob's extensive experience and business acumen are tremendous assets for the future of aboutGolf , says Chuck Faust, President and COO of aboutGolf. “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with him to take our company to a new level.”
Ryan's involvement as Chairman/CEO allows former CEO Bill Bales to focus on his role as Founder. Bales will remain actively involved with aboutGolf, serving as a visionary and innovator, the entrepreneurial strengths that led to the birth of the company.
“Adding Bob to the aboutGolf executive leadership team represents a new chapter for us,” says Bales. “I am invigorated by the opportunities before us. Although we've been innovators in the golf industry for more than 20 years, our current vision makes it feel like only the tip of the iceberg for what we can contribute to the game of golf.”
Previously Ryan served as President of Mechanical Dynamics, Inc. (MDI), in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ryan led MDI from start-up stage to over $50M in annual revenues, took the company public, completed seven international acquisitions and positioned MDI as the leader in its market sector. Ryan is currently a member of Plymouth Venture Partners, a Michigan-based venture capital firm and a Brighton, Michigan resident who has been married for 28 years and has three grown children.
“I am looking forward to achieving significant results at aboutGolf,” says Ryan. “The future our company is very bright because of the quality of our leadership, our people, our technology and our products.
In addition to his various executive positions, Ryan has worked as a business consultant to numerous major corporations, including GM and Chrysler, and has also earned a host of key business awards, including Business Week's “100 Best Small Companies Award.”
Ryan received his Bachelor's degree in engineering and business from the University of Cincinnati, and holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in engineering from Stanford University. He also has authored more than 20 journal articles and book chapters on the subject of computer simulation and the global IT market.
aboutGolf produces PGA TOUR Simulators, aboutGolf Performance Products and Henry-Griffitts Custom Fitting. Historically, aboutGolf also produced Microsoft Golf, Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf and World Tours, which is the world's most-widely-distributed golf simulation.
