Wahl Clipper Corporation, the professional and direct-to-consumer grooming products company, has appointed former Momentec Brands CEO John Anton, Jr. as its new chief executive officer. Anton left the CEO role at Momentec Brands in February 2026 and exited as vice chair on the Board of Directors last month.
The company said Anton “joins Wahl with more than 30 years of experience leading consumer products companies through periods of significant growth, bringing deep expertise in scaling heritage brands and driving product innovation.” He will report to Wahl’s Board of Directors and lead the company’s global strategy, operations and long-term growth initiatives.
“John is a strategic, high-impact leader who has the vision, energy and innovative mindset necessary for Wahl’s continued growth in the global market,” said Mary Gail Gearns, chair of the Board of Directors and third-generation Wahl family member. “John’s commitment to our customers, people and long-term value creation aligns strongly with the values that have defined Wahl for more than a century.”
Most recently, Anton served as president and CEO of Momentec Brands, which was formed through the merger of Founder Sport Group and Augusta Sportswear. Previously, he spent seven years as president and CEO of Founder Sport Group, formerly known as Badger Sportswear, where he reportedly “more than doubled revenue and led multiple strategic acquisitions, including Alleson Athletic, Garb Athletics and Teamwork Athletic Apparel.” He first joined Founder Sport Group in 2017.
Earlier in his career, Anton held senior leadership roles with The Valspar Corporation and Mars Petcare.
“I am honored to join Wahl, a company that has built an extraordinary legacy over more than 100 years by staying true to its customers, investing in innovation and empowering its people,” said Anton. “I look forward to building on that strong foundation and working alongside our talented associates to identify new opportunities, enhance our market leadership and drive continued growth around the world.”
Founded in 1919, Wahl remains family-owned and operated. Anton’s appointment marks the first time in company history that a non-family member will serve as CEO.
Anton succeeds Interim CEO David Cybulski, who will continue serving as CFO and support the leadership transition.
Anton holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Images courtesy Wahl Clipper Corp./LinkedIn
See below for a related SGB article regarding Momentec Brands:
Momentec Brands Consolidates Warehouses into Massive NC Performance Center
