The Sports & Fitness Industry Association elected Mike Zlaket, CEO and member of the Board of Directors for Rawlings Sporting Goods, as chairman of the SFIA Board of Directors, effective immediately, for a one-year term.

Zlaket is a sporting goods industry veteran of over 30 years, the last ten of which he has been CEO of Rawlings Sporting Goods. Under his leadership, the company reported it has “grown to be valued at over $1 billion.”

Zlaket replaces former Board Chair Jon Ram, who served three one-year terms and will now serve as the immediate past chairman.

“I am honored to assume the role of Chairman of the Board for SFIA. Having served on this Board since 2018, I have witnessed firsthand the work we do for the sport and fitness industry,“ said Zlaket. “I look forward to collaborating with my fellow Board members to drive SFIA’s mission forward and am excited about the positive impact we will make on the industry.“

SFIA also elected Joe Dudy, president and CEO of Wilson Sporting Goods, to the Board and re-elected four members to three-year terms, including:

  • Jennifer Bendall, VP North America, Government & Public Affairs, Nike
  • Dave Elliott, Vice Chair, Momentec Brands
  • Michael Schroeder, Senior VP of Sales, North America, Gildan
  • Dan Sheridan, CEO, Brooks Running Company

They join 13 Board members serving staggered terms, including:

  • Terry Babilla, President & CEO, BSN Sports
  • Isabel Coscia, Senior VP, Marketing, Technogym
  • Ryan Cruthirds, Chief Digital Commerce and Brand Development Officer, Implus LLC
  • Kim Davis, Executive VP Social Impact, Growth Initiative & Legislative Affairs, National Hockey League
  • Melissa Dawson, President, Molten USA
  • Adam Franklin, President, Franklin Sports
  • Rawleigh Grove, VP & General Counsel, Ping, Inc.
  • Ray Hilvert, VP, New Balance Sports
  • Koichiro Kodama, President & CEO, Asics North America
  • Scott McDonald, CEO, Body-Solid, Inc.
  • Roman Oben: VP, Football Development & Strategy, National Football League
  • Jon Ram, Immediate Past Chairman
  • Kurt Tandan, Associate General Counsel and VP of Government Affairs, Adidas

The election occurred at SFIA’s Annual Meeting on October 17, 2024. The Board will support the newly elected SFIA President & CEO, Todd Smith.

Images courtesy SFIA