LakePoint Sports, a youth travel sports destination located in the Metro Atlanta area, announced Thursday it has named Mark O’Brien as its new president and CEO.
O’Brien, who recently served as president of Mizuno USA and chairman of Mizuno Canada, brings a wealth of sports and brand experience to his new role.
“Mark has a robust background with deep experience in sports, marketing, retail and customer satisfaction while leading organizations,” said Jeff Bemis of Rimrock Capital Management, the owner of LakePoint. “He has a special expertise in helping set brands up for lasting success, as well as an ethos that aligns with our vision and values. We can’t think of a better person to help usher LakePoint into this exciting new era, and I look forward to working with him to solidify LakePoint’s position as the ultimate authority in youth travel sports.”
O’Brien has more than two decades of executive leadership for some of the most recognizable brands in the world, including Mizuno USA and Mizuno Canada, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, The Original Honey Baked Ham Company, Johnsonville Sausage and Miller Brewing Company (now MillerCoors). His career has been defined by employing a thoughtful, purposeful approach to transforming and revitalizing mature, rapid-growth organizations, turning them into high-performing, established brands that are viewed as leaders in their respective industries.
O’Brien boasts a diverse array of experience in the sports industry, including several years in minor league baseball that culminated in a role as general manager. He also worked in sports marketing and branding for the NBA’s Houston Rockets, assisting with the franchise’s brand partnerships. During his time with GMR Marketing, his work focused on customer engagement and experiential marketing for one of the top global sports entertainment and experiential marketing agencies.
“LakePoint is truly unlike any other youth sports campus in the country – an impressive and impactful experience that stands above the rest,” said O’Brien. “I’ve always had a passion for sports and for supporting kids with ambition and drive as they work toward their goals on and off the field. I am thrilled to join LakePoint and intend to ensure that, through its continued excellence and outstanding service delivery, it is a destination for young athletes to live out their dreams for decades to come.”
