The SFIA will have New Balance President & CEO Rob DeMartini and the Aspen Institutes Director of Sports & Society Program and Emmy-award winning ESPN reporter Tom Farrey participate as speakers at the inaugural 2013 SFIA Industry Leaders Summit to be held September 25-26 in Baltimore, MD at the Four Seasons Hotel.

DeMartini and Farrey join a list of previously announced speakers that includes Ted Leonsis (Founder, Chairman and CEO, Monumental Sports & Entertainment), Kevin Plank (Founder and CEO, Under Armour), Jeffrey Rosensweig (Director of Global Perspectives, Emory University), Auret van Heerden (CEO, Fair Labor Association), Joe Pellegrini (Co-Head Consumer & Retailer Group, Robert W. Baird & Co.) and Robert Reiss (Host of The CEO Show, Author of The Transformative CEO and Forbes Columnist).

DeMartini will be part of a dynamic Global Industry President/CEO panel that already includes Scott Baxter (VF Group President, Jeanswear Americas & Imagewear) and Hugo Malan (Sears Holdings President, Fitness, Sporting Goods and Toys). The panel session will be moderated by SFIA President & CEO Tom Cove.

DeMartini joined the New Balance team in 2007 and successfully guided the companys leadership team in the development of a responsible growth strategic plan. Bringing with him extensive knowledge and experience from a diverse background in the consumer products business, DeMartinis prior roles include Procter & Gamble, Gillette Company, and most recently, Tyson Foods.  

While focusing on the success of our own businesses, its important that we each do our part to support the overall vitality of the sports and fitness industry, said DeMartini. I look forward to an enthusiastic conversation about the opportunities and obligations we face as leaders.

In addition to reporting for ESPN, Tom Farrey is director of the Aspen Institutes Sports & Society Program, the mission of which is to convene leaders and inspire solutions that help sport serve the public interest, with a focus on developing healthy children and communities. His 2008 book, Game On: The All-American Race to Make Champions of Our Children is a leading work on modern youth sports and serves as a required text at universities from Florida to Oregon.

“One of the keys to driving sports participation and building healthy, vibrant communities is for business, from corporations to local entrepreneurs, to create programs and products accessible to all kids,” Farrey said. “I look forward to hearing perspectives and sharing breakthrough ideas at the SFIA Industry Leaders Summit, as we push forward the national conversation about this important topic.”