Randy Ruch, founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Schuykill Valley Sports, retired July 1, 2010 after thirty-nine years in the sporting goods industry. Ruch opened his first store in Audubon, PA in August 1971. The company now operates eighteen stores in Eastern Pennsylvania with two additional stores to open by the middle of next year.
Ruch has served on the National Sporting Goods Association board of directors, as chairman of the board of the Athletic Dealers of America, as chairman of the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame Committee, as chairman of the board of the Phoenixville YMCA and is on the board of Phoenixville Federal Bank and Trust.
Jerry Williams will continue as President of SVS – he has 31 years experience in the industry. Steve Kauffman was recently added as CFO. Kauffman holds an MBA and has an extensive background in management and accounting. Greg Baldwin continues as Vice President of Merchandising with 34 years experience, Mike Renninger continues as Vice President of Operations with 28 years experience and Phil Snyder continues as Vice President of Team Sales with 24 years experience.
In addition, SVS has named John DeMaria to the executive team and promoted him to Director of Apparel and Licensed Products. John has 25 years of industry experience.
In reflecting on Randy's retirement, President Jerry Williams explains “Randy has set the tone for who we are and how we serve our customers. As a company, we have the experience and expertise to build upon the foundation he has set.”
In 2005 SVS executed an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) which converted the corporation to an employee-owned entity.
SVS specializes in team related merchandise, college and professional team licensed products, as well as footwear. SVS also sells to youth groups, schools and organizations, and is one of the top thirty team dealers in the United States.
