Todd Smith, president and CEO of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) since last October, talked with SGB Executive about how it is evolving to meet its mission to promote sports and fitness participation and industry growth, its new initiatives and the Trump administration’s decision to bring back the Presidential Fitness Test.
Author: Thomas J. Ryan
Thomas J. Ryan
Senior Business Editor | SGB Media
tryan@sgbonline.com | 917.375.4699
EXEC: Cotopaxi CEO Lindsay Shumlas Chases Urban Outdoor Consumer Opportunity
Lindsay Shumlas, Cotopaxi’s CEO since last December, talked with SGB Executive about Cotopaxi’s recent management reset and its pursuit of the casual and active adventurers in urban settings, that’s resulted in the recent opening of several pop-up locations and is expected to drive its next leg of growth.
EXEC: Grassroots President Gabe Maier Talks About Connections
Gabe Maier, president of Grassroots Outdoors Alliance talked with SGB Executive about the work the membership organization is doing on behalf of independent outdoor retailers, its evolving Connect show and the prospects for a national show for the outdoor industry.
EXEC: OrthoLite Founder Glenn Barrett Talks Fresh Opportunities via Coats Group Merger
SGB Executive spoke with Glenn Barrett, founder and CEO of insole maker OrthoLite, about the opportunities created for its flagship brand, Ortholite, and Cirql, its upstart featuring biodegradable foam, following its pending merger with London-based Coats Group Plc.
EXEC: Eagle Creek Owner Travis Campbell Eyes Opportunities in Adventure Travel
In September 2021, Travis Campbell made a leap in acquiring Eagle Creek, a brand that its former owner and his former employer, VF Corp., had planned to discontinue. He talks to SGB Executive about the ongoing reset of Eagle Creek and the opportunities in the adventure travel consumer market.
EXEC: Former Brooks CEO Jim Weber Highlights Key Leadership Traits
At a keynote session held during Switchback Spring, which took place from June 16-18 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, Jim Weber, former CEO of Brooks Running, listed focus, curiosity and trust as his “winning” trifecta formula for leadership success.
EXEC: Sport Obermeyer CEO Kris Kuster Talks Year ‘Round Mountain Opportunities in Ski, Hunt & Fish
Kris Kuster, Sport Obermeyer’s new CEO, spoke with SGB Executive about the opportunities he sees for the company in targeting female hunters and anglers, as well as plans to introduce fashion-forward capsules, including those connected to Obermeyer’s hometown of Aspen, the revamp of its online presence, and the impact of tariffs. Kuster also spoke about the impossibility of replacing Klaus Obermeyer.
EXEC: Topo Athletic CEO Tony Post Talks Meteoric Growth for the Running Brand
SGB Executive talks with Topo Athletic’s Founder and CEO Tony Post about the brand’s momentum, recent product wins, its partnership with DBI, tariff turmoil, and future opportunities.
EXEC: Wall Street Remains Skeptical of Any Nike Recovery in Fiscal Q4
Analysts expect Nike, Inc. will meet or exceed conservative guidance when it reports earnings for the fiscal fourth quarter ended May 31 on Thursday evening, June 24; however, results will again be well below year-ago levels.
EXEC: OIA Study Finds Outdoor Stores Still Missing Emerging Casual Consumers
At a session this week at Switchback Spring being held in Nashville, Kelly Davis, director of research at the Outdoor Industry Association, highlighted new consumer research that shows the outdoor space remains fixated on “Core” consumers at the expense of reaching the more “Active” and “Casual” participants.
EXEC: Academy’s Chief Merchant Talks Jordan Launch, Nike Brand Success, Tariff Disruption
Following the retailer’s first-quarter results report, Academy’s EVP and Chief Merchant Matt McCabe added more highlights from the business, including the promise to introduce the Jordan brand, a strong response to expanding Nike product and market share gains among higher-income households.
NFIB: Small Business Optimism Rises For First Time This Year
A gauge of sentiment among small businesses, rose to 98.8 in May from 95.8 in April, bringing the Index back above its long-term average, represented by a reading of 98. The increase ends a four-month streak of weakening sentiment.
EXEC: Academy CEO Sees Promising Returns from Improved Nike Allocations, Jordan Launch
First-quarter results missed analyst estimates and the retailer widened its full-year guidance due to potential inflationary pressures arriving this year. Management also shared many positive developments, including a healthy response to Nike product expansion and Jordan brand launch.
EXEC Q&A: Dan Sheridan, CEO, Brooks Running
Sheridan, who was promoted to Brooks’ CEO last April, talks with SGB Executive about Brooks’ recent momentum, entry into lifestyle footwear category, the tariff playbook, as well as the health of the overall run industry.
EXEC: Tariff Worries Overhang NSGA Leadership Conference Energy
Tariffs were top of mind at the NSGA 2025 Leadership Conference but so was confidence that the sporting goods industry would figure out ways to mitigate any fallout. Attendees told SGB Executive that suppliers were so far keeping price increases to a minimum while also ramping up communications with dealers to provide an early read on potential changes.
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